The No. 9 North Carolina State Wolfpack (21-11) meet the No. 8 Seton Hall Pirates (21-11) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at Intrust Bank Arena. The game starts at 4:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 15, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 157.5 points with Seton Hall set as a 2.5-point favorite.
North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Seton Hall Pirates ATS Prediction
In the , the Wolfpack were beaten by the Boston College Eagles, 91-87. Making free throws was one of Boston College’s largest strengths. They were 16-19 (84.2 percent), while the Wolfpack were just 8-15 (53.3 percent). North Carolina State’s Omer Yurtseven put together a solid game, recording 20 points and nine rebounds.
The Pirates lost a tough one against the Butler Bulldogs in the , 75-74. Butler’s turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Seton Hall. The Bulldogs had a rate of 7.9 (better than their season average of 14.0), while the Pirates posted a mark of 17.3. Seton Hall’s Khadeen Carrington had a good game, leading the team in scoring with 17 points on 7-for-12 shooting.
Seton Hall could dominate the offensive glass in this meeting. The Pirates are among the NCAA’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking 35th in offensive rebounding percentage at 34.2 percent. Meanwhile, North Carolina State ranks 309th in the nation at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 68.1 percent.
North Carolina State holds records of 21-11 straight up (SU) and 13-12 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to set the total low when the Wolfpack are involved, as 14 of their 25 games have gone over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Seton Hall is 21-11 SU and 16-16 ATS. Games involving the Pirates also tend to finish over the total (60.0 percent).
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Allerik Freeman (20.8 points and 1.6 steals) has been stellar for the Wolfpack while Khadeen Carrington (21.2 points and 4.0 assists) has made great contributions to the Pirates.
North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Seton Hall Pirates Free Pick
Free Basketball Pick: SU Winner – North Carolina State, ATS Winner – North Carolina State, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
North Carolina State ranks 29th in three pointers allowed per game (19.0) while Seton Hall ranks 197th (22.7).
The Pirates rank 41st in assists per game (15.8) while the Wolfpack rank 177th in assists allowed per game (13.9).
Seton Hall ranks 49th in rebounds per game (38.2) while North Carolina State ranks 164th in rebounds allowed per game (35.1).
The Wolfpack rank 35th in steals per game (7.5) while the Pirates rank 125th (6.3).
Seton Hall averages 3.5 blocks per game, which ranks 112th in the NCAA. North Carolina State ranks 190th in blocks allowed per game (4.0).
Bettings Trends:
The Wolfpack’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.2, up from 6.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pirates have scored an average of 77.8 points per game (1.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 73.0 points per game (0.3 below their season average).
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