North Carolina has been awful on the road | Prediction | OSB
North Carolina vs. NC State
The North Carolina Tar Heels will travel to the PNC Arena to take on the North Carolina State Wolfpack in an ACC matchup (1:00 p.m. ET, ESPN). The Tar Heels will look to bounce back after their loss on Monday night. North Carolina lost to the Miami Hurricanes 80-72. The Tar Heels have now lost four of their last five games. Meanwhile, the Wolfpack will also look to get back on track after their 75-72 loss against the Syracuse Orange on Tuesday night. NC State has lost three of their last five games. Both teams need a win in this game to gain some momentum for the end of the season.
With an 16-10 record on the season and an 8-7 record in conference play, the Tar Heels are 4.5 games back from first place in the ACC standings. North Carolina has been awful on the road this year as they are 2-6 as the away team. Look to see if they can fix their road problems against their rivals in NC State.
North Carolina has gotten production from a lot of their players this year. The Tar Heels have three players averaging double-digit points this season. Senior forward Armando Bacot has been dominant for the Tar Heels this year, as he leads the team in points and rebounds. Bacot is averaging 17.4 points and 11.0 rebounds a game on the season. They are also, led by their junior guard Caleb Love who is averaging 17.0 points this season.
In their loss against Miami on the road, junior guard R.J. Davis and Love combined for 43 points. Davis led the Tar Heels finishing with 23 points in the game. Love was right behind him with 20 points. Bacot was held in check as he only had 12 points. The Tar Heels just could not stop the guard play of Miami. In the loss, North Carolina shot 43.9% from the floor and 16.1% from the three-point line. They shot a horrid 5-31 from deep.
Offensively, the Tar Heels are averaging 78.2 points a game on the season. Defensively, North Carolina has been mediocre allowing teams to score an average of 72.5 points a game on the season. Look to see if their high-powered offense can give the Wolfpack trouble.
With an 20-7 record on the season and an 10-6 record in conference play, the Wolfpack are just 3 games from first place in the ACC standings. NC State has been nearly perfect at home this year as they are 13-1 in PNC arena. Look to see if they can keep up their dominant play at home against the Tar Heels.
The Wolfpack have gotten production from a lot of their players this year. They have four players averaging double-digit points on the season. Sophomore guard Terquavion Smith has been leading the this year as he leads the team in points and assists. Smith is averaging 18.3 points and 4.6 assists a game on the season. They are also, led by their senior guard Jarkel Joiner who is averaging 16.1 points this season.
In their loss against Syracuse on the road, Joiner did everything he possibly could of to give the Wolfpack the win as he finished with a triple-double scoring 15 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and having 11 assists. Senior forward D.J. Burns Jr. also had a great game finishing with 15 points. Unfortunately, the Wolfpack just could not stop the Syracuse’s offense. In the loss, NC State shot 41.7% from the floor and 26.5% from the three-point line.
Offensively, the Wolfpack are averaging 78.7 points a game on the season. Defensively, NC State has been solid only allowing teams to score an average of 69.2 points a game on the season. Look to see if they can capitalize in this game offensively against the North Carolina defense.
North Carolina vs. NC State odds
Betting odds courtesy of Caesars
- Spread: NC State Wolfpack -1.5
- Over/Under: 152
- Moneyline: (Check back in later)
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North Carolina vs. NC State all-time series
The Tar Heels and the Wolfpack have played each other 176 times since both teams were classified as major schools. North Carolina has dominated the series with a 118-58 record against NC State. The last time these two teams faced each other was on Jan 21. When the Tar Heels defeated the Wolfpack 80-69. In the win, R.J. Davis went off as he finished with 26 points. Armando Bacot also had a monster game finishing with a double-double scoring 23 points and grabbing 18 rebounds.
Trends to know
– North Carolina is 1-6-1 ATS on the road this year.
– NC State is 5-7-2 ATS at home this year.
– The Tar Heels are 5-9-1 ATS in conference play this year.
– The Wolfpack are 6-10 ATS in conference play this year.
– The Tar Heels are 3-5-1 ATS following a loss this year.
– The Wolfpack are 4-1-1 ATS following a loss this year.
Prediction
I love NC State here. I think they win this game easily. North Carolina has struggled as of late and have not been playing their best basketball. NC state will be coming back home to an electric crowd for a Sunday afternoon game after they were on the road for three straight games. I think the Wolfpack fix their problems and bounce back at home by winning in dominant fashion against the Tar Heels. They have the guard play to keep up with Caleb Love and R.J. Davis. The only concern is how they will guard Armando Bacot who had a monster game last time these two faced each other. Either way even with a big game out of Bacot I still think the Wolfpack win easily in this one.
Prediction: NC State cover the spread (-1.5).
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