In an East vs West matchup, San Diego State of the Mountain West squares off against North Carolina State of the ACC Friday afternoon in the 6-11 Midwest Regional game.
The Aztecs, who got an at-large invitation to the Big Dance after tying for first place in the MWC, are getting two points from the Wolfpack, who earned their first NCAA tournament berth since 2006 by finishing in a tie for fourth in the ACC.
The game is being played at Nationwide Arena, which makes it a neutral site match.
The Aztecs sit at 26-7 (15-15 ATS) on the season. By comparison, the Wolfpack are currently 22-12 (15-14-1 ATS). Looking to wager on the totals? San Diego State is 15-14-1 OU, and North Carolina State is 18-12 OU.
View North Carolina State vs San Diego State Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
San Diego State opened as 1-point underdogs in this College Basketball tilt.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Aztecs sit at No. 27 in the current college hoops power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Wolfpack sit at No. 33 on the same chart. The computers running our scores simulations have concluded that the Aztecs will win this game 77-74.
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up San Diego State's No. 94 nationally ranked offense (71.2 points per game) against a Wolfpack defense that sits as the No. 209 at 68 PPG. The Aztecs have been averaging 45.6% from the field, less than the Wolfpack have managed so far this season (46.3% on average).
Defensively, North Carolina State features the nation's No. 64-rated defense on the road, allowing 65.1 points per game. San Diego State, meanwhile, comes in at No. 124 nationally in scoring at home.
North Carolina State was a 69-67 loser in its last match on the road against North Carolina. They covered the 9.5-point spread as underdogs. C.J. Leslie scored 22 points in a futile effort to lead the Wolfpack to a win (they lost 69-67 to North Carolina at Philips Arena on Saturday).
San Diego State lost its last outing, a 68-59 result against New Mexico on March 10. They failed to cover in that game as a 4.5-point underdog. San Diego State got 25 points from Chase Tapley on the way to a 68-59 loss against New Mexico on Saturday at Thomas & Mack Center.
North Carolina State Wolfpack Trends:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
After playing North Carolina are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5
San Diego State Aztecs Trends:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
After playing New Mexico are 5-5
After a loss are 8-2
A few Wolfpack at Aztecs trends to consider:
San Diego State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
