When the Arizona women’s basketball team arrives in Raleigh, N.C., so does the energy.

“”We’re hyper when we’re on the road,”” said guard Marie McGee. “”It’s crazy – we bring it.””

Arizona (2-2) takes on N.C. State (3-1) today at 5 p.m. in the Reynolds Coliseum with much anticipation for a highly respected Atlantic Coast Conference team.

“”It’s so different (on the road) because you leave Arizona and get a new feel,”” said forward Ify Ibekwe. “”It’s a different atmosphere – you get a break but you’re playing basketball. We’re just hyped to go to another state and play there.””

Coming off a 78-71 win against Portland on Friday, Ibekwe posted a career night in her first game in McKale – a

double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds. The freshman shot 80 percent from the field with a block in 27 minutes.

N.C. State also boats an impact freshman forward in 6-foot-2 Gloria Brown, who scored a career-best 10 points in Sunday’s 65-31 win over Brown in the TD Banknorth Classic.

“”No. 1, we go there with a lot of confidence,”” said senior guard Ashley Whisonant, who comes off a career-high 40 minutes against Portland in which she scored 13 points. “”We play hard, so we’re just going to take it to them like we took it to Portland.””

Last year, Arizona won a 68-66 overtime thriller against N.C. State in Tucson – the first time the teams played each other. From that squad, the Wolfpack returns forward Khadijah Whittington, who led the team with 10.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game last season.

N.C. State gained an NCAA Tournament berth last season and eventually fell to No. 1-seeded Connecticut in the Sweet 16 to conclude a 25-10 season.

UA head coach Joan Bonvicini said she respects N.C. State head coach Kay Yow as a legendary, special friend of hers, and looks forward to playing in a great atmosphere.

Bonvicini expects a pressing, run-and-gun tempo throughout the game from an athletic team that also returns guard Shayla Fields, who averaged 10.0 points per game last season.

“”It’s going to be an up-and-down game,”” Bonvicini said.

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This is Arizona’s last East Coast trip of the season. … The last ACC game on Arizona’s schedule was at Maryland last season, a 75-61 overtime loss. … The last time Arizona beat an ACC team was Dec. 3, 1995 against Wake Forest, a 63-47 win in Tucson.