The North Carolina State Wolfpack (10-4, 0-1 ACC) visit Notre Dame to take on the Fighting Irish (10-3, 1-0 ACC) in a game that has the potential to be high-scoring. The game is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 3, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 150 points with Notre Dame set as a 7-point favorite.
North Carolina State Wolfpack at Notre Dame Fighting Irish ATS Prediction
The Wolfpack are trying to rebound after their 78-62 loss to the Clemson Tigers in their last matchup. Clemson’s 10.9 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over North Carolina State, who had a mark of 16.2. The Tigers’ mark was better than their season average of 16.6. North Carolina State’s Omer Yurtseven put together a solid outing, finishing with 12 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.
In the Fighting Irish’s last matchup, they beat the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 68-59. The Fighting Irish knocked down 15 of their 18 free throws (83.3 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 34.2 (above their season average of 27.4). Bonzie Colson was the game’s leading scorer with 22 points on 8-for-21 shooting.
It might turn into a high-scoring affair as a pair of the nation’s best offenses go head-to-head. Notre Dame ranks 13th with 120.1 points per 100 possessions and North Carolina State is 36th (115.9). Additionally, the Wolfpack, who rank 43rd in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.288), will square off against the Fighting Irish, who rank fourth in opponents’ FTA rate (0.142).
North Carolina State is 10-4 straight up (SU), but they struggle covering the spread (3-4 against the spread (ATS)). Wolfpack games have typically finished over the O/U total (57.1 percent).
Notre Dame is 10-3 SU, but they are just 4-5 ATS. Fighting Irish games also have a tendency to go over the total (55.6 percent).
Colson has averaged 25.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.8 blocks over the last five games for Notre Dame.
After the Fighting Irish won the only contest against the Wolfpack last season, 81-72, these teams will meet for the first time this year. The Fighting Irish had a better turnover percentage (12.5 vs. 15.8) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.612 vs. 0.543).
North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Notre Dame, ATS Winner – Notre Dame, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
North Carolina State is 1-3 ATS on the road with 3 unders and 1 over.
At home, Notre Dame is 0-3 ATS with 2 overs and 1 under.
North Carolina State averages 15.7 assists per game, which ranks 66th in the NCAA. Notre Dame ranks 153rd in assists allowed per game (14.1).
The Fighting Irish rank 17th in steals allowed per game (4.8) while the Wolfpack rank 97th (6.4).
Notre Dame ranks 44th in blocks per game (4.8) while North Carolina State ranks 106th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
The Wolfpack rank 54th in rebounds per game (39.1) while the Fighting Irish rank 112th in rebounds allowed per game (34.5).
North Carolina State averages 20.9 three pointers per game, which ranks 179th in the NCAA. Notre Dame ranks 195th in three pointers allowed per game (23.8).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, North Carolina State is 0-2 ATS with 1 over and 1 under.
Notre Dame is 1-3 ATS with 3 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Wolfpack’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.4, down from 13.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Fighting Irish have scored an average of 84.0 points per game (2.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 68.8 points per game (2.6 above their season average).
Note* Bonzie Colson went down in practice yesterday, so the Irish will be without their leading scorer, rebounder, shot blocker and steals leader for two months.
