In a tobacco road showdown tonight at 7 p.m., the women’s basketball team (13-5, 2-1) will look to hand No. 1-ranked Duke (18-0, 4-0) its first loss of the season.

The Blue Devils recently stole the No. 1 spot in the country from Maryland after thrashing the Terrapins 81-62 in Durham while the Wolfpack is coming off a big win of its own, defeating Wake Forest 80-57 in Reynolds Coliseum.

According to junior forward Khadijah Whittington, the team is looking forward to yet another match against Duke.

“I think they’re a really good team,” Whittington said. “But I wouldn’t say that any of the teams are unbeatable, because they’re very beatable. So I think they’re playing good basketball right now. They’re ranked No. 1, but we’ll see if they play up to their potential.”

Whittington and senior center Gillian Goring will have the task of containing 6-foot-7 Duke center Alison Bales, the ACC’s leading shot blocker and, according to Whittington, one of the ACC’s most dominant centers on both ends of the court.

Goring, who scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the Pack’s win over the Demon Deacons, will likely match up against Bales because of their similar builds.

“To play someone the same height is just going to be fun,” Goring said. “Being able to compete against somebody the same size and the same strength … I’m real excited.”

Duke, who leads the ACC in scoring defense and blocked shots, will look to shut down State’s up-tempo offense. According to Goring, the Pack will have to play consistent in order to win.

“We just need to play our game,” Goring said. “Play N.C. State’s game, run the ball and just do what we have to do. We’re not really going to worry about what they’re going to do. We’re going to worry about what we’re going to do. We have to take care of our game first before we worry about theirs.”

Goring said she will look to her teammates, Whittington in particular, to help carry the offensive load against the Devils.

“We’re going to work together no matter what,” Goring said. “Their going to trap us and we’re going to see each other and feed each other the ball.”

This will not be the first time State will face the top-ranked team this season, as the Pack fell to then No. 1 Maryland 80-61 in its only conference loss of the season.

According to Whittington, State is confident they will compete well at home.

“I really think we’re going to win,” Whittington said.