Offense meets defense when the No. 15 North Carolina Tar Heels (11-3, 1-0 ACC) visit North Carolina State to take on the No. 18 Wolfpack (13-1, 1-0 ACC). The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, and will air on ESPN.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack ATS Prediction
In the Tar Heels’ last matchup, they beat the Wofford Terriers, 78-67. The Tar Heels had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (35.7 vs. 26.5) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.568 vs. 0.452). With 24 points on 7-for-13 shooting, Luke Maye was the game’s leading scorer.
The Wolfpack won big over the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers in their last contest, 105-55. The Wolfpack had a much better turnover percentage (8.8 vs. 20.9) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (50.0 vs. 25.0). Torin Dorn was the game’s leading scorer with 28 points on 10-for-18 shooting from the field.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will clash for the first time this year. The Tar Heels won the last game 96-89. North Carolina won the rebounding battle. The Tar Heels had more offensive rebounds (15 vs. seven), defensive rebounds (26 vs. 17) and total rebounds (41 vs. 24).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Cameron Johnson (0 points) has been stellar for the Tar Heels while Dorn (0 points) has made solid contributions to the Wolfpack.
This matchup pits one of the country’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. North Carolina State currently ranks third in offensive efficiency and North Carolina ranks 49th in defensive efficiency.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack ATS Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – North Carolina State, ATS Winner – North Carolina, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
North Carolina State ranks 38th in three pointers allowed per game (19.6) while North Carolina ranks 222nd (25.9).
The Wolfpack average 18.1 assists per game, which ranks 11th in the NCAA. The Tar Heels rank 142nd in assists allowed per game (13.5).
North Carolina State averages 7.8 steals per game, which ranks 51st in the country. North Carolina ranks 134th in steals allowed per game (7.1).
The Wolfpack average 3.8 blocks per game, which ranks 71st in the country. The Tar Heels rank 151st in blocks allowed per game (4.6).
North Carolina State ranks 10th in rebounds allowed per game (29.6) while North Carolina ranks 83rd (33.6).
Bettings Trends:
The Tar Heels’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 30.6, up from 17.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wolfpack have scored an average of 93.4 points per game (4.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 54.6 points per game (11.4 below their season average).
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