The No. 23 North Carolina State Wolfpack (16-7, 4-6 ACC) visit Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers (12-11, 2-8 ACC) in a matchup that pits sensational offense against exceptional defense. The game starts at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 9, 2019.
North Carolina State Wolfpack at Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Prediction
In the Wolfpack’s last game, they were topped by the No. 8 North Carolina Tar Heels, 113-96. North Carolina made good use of their 37 trips to the charity stripe, converting on 31 of them (83.8 percent). North Carolina State, meanwhile, was just 15-24 (62.5 percent). Braxton Beverly was North Carolina State’s high scorer with 17 points on 5-for-7 shooting.
The Panthers lost a close one to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in their last matchup, 78-76. Wake Forest’s 0.234 free throw rate was their biggest strength over Pittsburgh, who had a rate of 0.145. The Demon Deacons’ mark was below their season average of 0.297, while the Panthers’ was below their season average of 0.314. Pittsburgh’s Xavier Johnson had a solid game, leading both teams in scoring with 23 points on 8-for-19 shooting.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. DJ Funderburk had 18 points and nine rebounds in the first game, in which the Wolfpack beat the Panthers 86-80. North Carolina State had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (45.7 vs. 28.1). Pittsburgh, on the other hand, did a fantastic job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (24-28; 85.7 percent).
Points could be at a premium in this matchup between a pair of the NCAA’s top defenses. Pittsburgh ranks 55th in defensive efficiency (96.3) and North Carolina State is 60th (96.6). Furthermore, the Wolfpack rank 15th in offensive rebounding percentage (36.9 percent), while the Panthers rank 331st in defensive rebounding percentage (66.7 percent).
North Carolina State at Pittsburgh Betting Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Pittsburgh, ATS Winner – Pittsburgh, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes:
North Carolina State ranks 41st in rebounds per game (38.7) while Pittsburgh ranks 241st in rebounds allowed per game (37.7).
The Wolfpack rank 38th in assists per game (15.9) while the Panthers rank 209th (12.0).
North Carolina State ranks 23rd in three pointers allowed per game (18.9) while Pittsburgh ranks 190th (23.7).
The Wolfpack average 3.9 blocks per game, which ranks 67th in the country. The Panthers rank 178th in blocks allowed per game (5.6).
North Carolina State averages 7.5 steals per game, which ranks 51st in the nation. Pittsburgh ranks 144th in steals allowed per game (6.8).
Bettings Trends:
The Wolfpack have been outscored by an average of 9.2 points in their last five games. For the season, North Carolina State has defeated opponents by an average of 12.0 points.
During their last five games, the Panthers have scored an average of 63.2 points per game (10.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 74.0 points per game (5.7 above their season average).
*****
