NCAA Tournament Scores 2012: What N.C. State Must Do to Shock Kansas

It isn't easy being a No. 11 seed against a No. 2 seed.

N.C. State will discover this on Friday when they face off with Kansas in the Sweet 16.

But there's always hope in the NCAA tournament, where the miraculous and unbelievable can happen. It's called March Madness for a reason, after all.

Here's a look at what N.C. State must do to shock Kansas in the Sweet 16.

Find a Way to Contain Thomas Robinson

If you don't know who Thomas Robinson by now, I'm guessing you don't watch this whole college basketball thing a lot.

Robinson, who was hidden behind the Morris brothers last season at Kansas, has exploded this season in his first year starting. He's averaged 17.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 1.1 steals, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's a top-three pick in the 2012 NBA draft (if he declares).

How do you stop Robinson?

Well, this season, you don't. You hope he stops himself. The good news is that Robinson shot 2-of-12 against Purdue in an uncharacteristic performance in the Round of 32. Perhaps he gets in a funk.

C.J. Leslie will be severely undersized against Robinson, which means the Wolfpack will likely double-team Robinson...a lot.

Get In Tyshawn Taylor's Head

Obviously, Tyshawn Taylor is one of Kansas' stars this season, but there have been instances in which he's lost his composure and come unglued (see: Feb. 4 vs. Missouri).

I could see N.C. State using C.J. Williams, their best perimeter defender, against Taylor. Disrupting the flow of the offense is critical in going on a run against Kansas.

Remember, Taylor struggled against Purdue too, going 4-of-11 from the floor.

C.J. Leslie Goes Off

C.J. Leslie may have trouble on the defensive side of the ball against Robinson, but he has quickness on Robinson on the offensive end.

If I were N.C. State, I'd run Leslie all over the floor and tire Robinson out. Leslie averaged 14.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.1 steals while shooting 52 percent from the floor this season, and he's been incredibly consistent. He played very well against San Diego State and Georgetown in the tournament.

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