Not that much was expected from NC State entering the college basketball season but the Wolfpack have made the nation pay attention to them recently. Despite being unranked, NC State is coming off back-to-back wins vs Duke and Clemson even though they closed those games as 12.5 and 4 point underdogs respectively. NC State is in search of another upset victory when they visit the No.3 ranked Virginia Cavaliers Sunday.
However, both of those NC State upsets came in Raleigh where they team is 11-1 SU this season – unlike this contest. The Wolfpack have had issues on the road going just 1-4 SU away from PNC Arena. The high-scoring offense of NC State will also be in for a tough task against Virginia’s No.1 ranked scoring defense.
Of course, we all know that Virginia’s pack-line defense is one of the best in the nation – it always is – but the team is still yet to truly hit their stride offensively. Virginia is averaging just 70.7 points per game while shooting a collective 47% from the field. Even though those numbers fall in line with their typical season averages over the past several years, the team would still like to see more consistency out of top scorers Kyle Guy and Devon Hall.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The North Carolina State Wolfpack were listed as 15-point underdogs at many online sportsbooks, including the odds makers at Sportsbook.
North Carolina State Wolfpack vs Virginia Cavaliers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The North Carolina State Wolfpack will look to cover the spread vs the Virginia Cavaliers on Sunday, as the Wolfpack are 6-7 ATS versus the spread this season, while the Cavaliers are 9-4 ATS. North Carolina State is 9-4 against the total, while Virginia is 4-9 versus the total betting line.
This college basketball game matches up the No. 12 (Virginia) and the No. 178 (North Carolina State) teams in the league, according to our current NCAA basketball power rankings.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Virginia's No. 213-ranked offense, averaging 70.69 PPG, against a Wolfpack defense that ranks No. 162 at 72.82 PPG. The Cavaliers field goal percentage has averaged 47.04% so far, more than the Wolfpack marksmen have achieved on the year, 46.59% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Omer Yurtseven scored 29 points leading the Wolfpack to a 78-77 victory over Clemson at PNC Arena on Thursday.
Virginia got 22 points from Kyle Guy en route to a 68-61 victory over Syracuse on Tuesday at John Paul Jones Arena.
Next Betting Matchups
North Carolina State home to Wake Forest, Thursday, January 18th
Virginia at Georgia Tech, Thursday, January 18th