The No. 7 Duke Blue Devils (23-6, 13-5 ACC) will try to extend their five-game home winning streak in a matchup against the North Carolina State Wolfpack (18-11, 9-9 ACC) at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 2, 2020, and will air on ESPN.
North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Duke Blue Devils Betting Prediction
The opening line at Pointsbet Iowa has the home team Duke as 13 point favorites over conference foe North Carolina State and a total set at 151.5.
The Wolfpack will be looking for similar success after topping the Pittsburgh Panthers in their last game, 77-73. The Wolfpack knocked down 20 of their 27 free throws (74.1 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 44.1 (above their season average of 28.7). North Carolina State rallied around Manny Bates, who put up 13 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.
The last time the Blue Devils played, they let one slip away to the Virginia Cavaliers, 52-50. Virginia’s 0.450 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Duke, who had a rate of 0.339. The Cavaliers’ mark was below their season average of 0.472, while the Blue Devils’ was below their season average of 0.531. With 17 points on 6-for-11 shooting, Vernon Carey Jr. was the top scorer from either team.
This is the second game of the season between these two squads. In the first, Markell Johnson scored a game-high 28 points and the Wolfpack beat the Blue Devils 88-66. He also had nine rebounds. The Wolfpack knocked down 16 of their 21 free throws (76.2 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (11.1 vs. 14.2).
Duke could dominate the offensive glass in this meeting. The Blue Devils rank 24th in offensive rebounding percentage (34.5 percent), while North Carolina State ranks 299th in defensive rebounding percentage (69.3 percent).
North Carolina State Wolfpack at Duke Blue Devils ATS Pick
College Basketball Prediction: ATS Winner – North Carolina State, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Duke ranks 18th in rebounds per game (40.0) while North Carolina State ranks 235th in rebounds allowed per game (37.1).
The Wolfpack average 4.7 blocks per game, which ranks 26th in the country. The Blue Devils rank 172nd in blocks allowed per game (4.0).
North Carolina State averages 7.4 steals per game, which ranks 62nd in the nation. Duke ranks 194th in steals allowed per game (7.4).
The Blue Devils rank 24th in assists per game (15.4) while the Wolfpack rank 136th (13.2).
Duke is eighth in the nation with 16.1 three pointers allowed per game while North Carolina State is 59th with 19.3 three pointers allowed per game.
The Wolfpack’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.2, down from 4.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Blue Devils have scored an average of 79.8 points per game (2.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 75.4 points per game (7.7 above their season average).