A classic showdown between a great offensive team and a tough defending squad is about to go down in Charlottesville this coming Sunday. Beating the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils (96-85) last Saturday was a real morale booster for NC State which had also beaten a then No. 2 Arizona Wildcats (90-84) back in November. With a pair of wins against topnotch teams teams this season, the Wolfpack will not be intimidated at facing another national title contender in the form of Virginia. That said, they have not faced anything that closely resembles the cruel defense of the Cavaliers. Read on for a preview of this game. Register to bet and wager with your pick.
Betting Preview for the NC State Wolfpack vs Virginia Cavaliers NCAA Basketball Game on January 14 2018
The Wolfpack relies on their fantastic offense that generates 83.4 points per game. NC State is not the highest scoring team in the conference, but it did outscore the team with the best offense in ACC when the Wolfpack took down Duke. Allerik Freeman and Torin Dorn are the team’s combustible duo that score 15.3 and 13.4 points, respectively. Apart from them, the Wolfpack also has three other players who gets at least 10 points a game. Virginia does not have as many scorers and as deep of a bench as NC State, so it’s possible for the Cavaliers to tire out in trying to stop the Wolfpack’s offense for an entire game.
The under is 4-1 in NC State’s last five road games, though.
Betting on the Virginia Cavaliers (15-1)
The Tony Bennett-coached Cavaliers are playing the way people expected them to prior to the season. Just like in previous seasons, finding rhythm on offense against Virginia is not an easy task. The Cavaliers, who are 8-0 SU in their last eight games, are limiting the fewest points to opponents this season with 53.0 per game. It’s almost like the Cavaliers are putting Cavaliers on opposing players. Teams are shooting a pathetic 36.1 field goal percentage against Virginia.
The Wolfpack are not going to have their usual offensive flow in this game. The North Carolina Tar Heels average over 80 points per game this season, but they mustered just 49 points in a loss to Virginia last Saturday. The Cavaliers are 2-1 ATS in their last three games overall.
Writer’s Prediction:
Virginia does what it always does and beats NC State, 64-58.
