The top-seeded Villanova Wildcats managed a huge win and an easy cover in their tournament opener, but they should get a bit of a tougher test in the Round of 32 on Saturday when they take on the N.C. State Wolfpack in Pittsburgh.
NC State packs a nasty bite as an underdog (and they were getting nearly 10 points over at Sportsbook). NC State has covered eight straight as dogs of 9 or more points and won outright five of past seven games as dogs of 9 or more!
However, top seeds are 7-1 ATS in their past eight games vs 8 seeds and Villanova is 15-5 ATS this season when double-digit favorites. The Wildcats are also on 16-0 SU, 14-2 ATS runs overall.
Villanova was a 22-point favorite in their opener against No. 16 Lafayette, and rolled to a SU and ATS win by a 93-52 score. The No. 8 Wolfpack, meanwhile, just survived their game against the No. 9 LSU Tigers on Thursday, winning that evenly-matched Round of 64 contest 66-65.
North Carolina State Wolfpack vs Villanova Wildcats Odds and Stats.
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Villanova Wildcats are 33-2 so far on the season, and 25-10 ATS vs the number. The North Carolina State Wolfpack, meanwhile, are 21-13 and 17-14-1 ATS. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Villanova go 15-19-1 and the North Carolina State Wolfpack go 13-14 on betting totals.
According to new college basketball power rankings here at Odds Shark, it's the No. 3-ranked Villanova Wildcats and the No. 63-rated North Carolina State Wolfpack in this matchup.
How North Carolina State Wolfpack vs Villanova Wildcats Stats Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up Villanova's No. 17 nationally ranked offense (76.74 points per game) against a North Carolina State Wolfpack defense that sits as the No. 115 at 65.41 PPG. The Villanova Wildcats have been averaging 47.46% from the field, more than the Wolfpack have managed so far this season (43.69% on average).
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Wolfpack grabbed a 66-65 win over the Tigers on Thursday, behind a 17-point effort from Anthony Barber at Consol Energy Center.
Villanova cruised to victory on Thursday, running Lafayette out of the gym and running up a 93-52 score at Consol Energy Center.
Villanova vs NC State trends:
NC State 12-4-2 ATS past 18 games as underdog
Villanova 0-4 ATS vs 8 seeds (but three times, Nova was a 9 seed)
