The North Carolina State Wolfpack (14-6, 5-4 ACC) welcome the North Carolina Tar Heels (9-10, 2-6 ACC) to PNC Arena as they look to extend their 11-game home winning streak. The game can be seen on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, January 27, 2020.
North Carolina Tar Heels at North Carolina State Wolfpack Betting Prediction
The Tar Heels will be looking for a similar outcome after blowing out the Miami (FL) Hurricanes in their last contest, 94-71. North Carolina out-rebounded Miami (FL). The Tar Heels had 10 offensive rebounds and 41 total rebounds, while the Hurricanes had two and 21, respectively. North Carolina was led by Armando Bacot, who contributed 19 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.
In the Wolfpack’s last outing, they lost to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 64-58. Georgia Tech’s free throw rate was their biggest advantage over North Carolina State. The Yellow Jackets had a rate of 0.264 (above their season average of 0.209), while the Wolfpack posted a mark of 0.172 (below their season average of 0.205). With 21 points on 8-for-16 shooting, Markell Johnson led North Carolina State in scoring.
North Carolina State could put on a ball-control clinic in this showdown. North Carolina State ranks 21st in the nation at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.2 percent), while North Carolina forces the 13th-fewest turnovers (16.1 percent).
After the Tar Heels won both matchups against the Wolfpack last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent contest, North Carolina won 113-96. The Tar Heels knocked down 31 of their 37 free throws (83.8 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (51.9 vs. 34.1).
North Carolina Tar Heels at North Carolina State Wolfpack ATS Pick
Free Prediction: ATS Winner – North Carolina State, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
North Carolina averages 43.6 rebounds per game, which ranks first in the nation. North Carolina State ranks 198th in rebounds allowed per game (36.5).
The Wolfpack rank 88th in three pointers allowed per game (20.4) while the Tar Heels rank 270th (26.5).
North Carolina State averages 7.5 steals per game, which ranks 69th in the country. North Carolina ranks 162nd in steals allowed per game (7.2).
The Wolfpack rank 45th in blocks per game (4.5) while the Tar Heels rank 134th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
North Carolina ranks 50th in assists per game (15.0) while North Carolina State ranks 113th (13.7).
The Tar Heels have been outscored by an average of 0.8 points in their last five games. On the season, North Carolina has defeated opponents by an average of 0.3 points.
During their last five games, the Wolfpack have scored an average of 61.8 points per game (13.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 60.8 points per game (7.3 below their season average).