Offense meets defense when the North Carolina State Wolfpack (13-6, 3-3 ACC) welcome the No. 25 Miami Hurricanes (13-4, 2-3 ACC) to PNC Arena. The game is scheduled to start at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 21, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 145.5 points with Miami opening as a 1-point favorite.
Miami Hurricanes vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack Free Prediction
The last time the Hurricanes played, they were topped by the No. 5 Duke Blue Devils, 83-75. Duke’s 0.179 free throw rate was their biggest strength over Miami, who had a rate of 0.103. The Blue Devils’ mark was below their season average of 0.248, while the Hurricanes’ was below their season average of 0.183. Miami’s Dewan Huell played well, putting up 18 points and 13 rebounds.
The Wolfpack defeated the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in their last matchup, 72-63. The Wolfpack had a better free throw rate (0.210 vs. 0.138) and held the Demon Deacons to an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.6 (below their season average of 31.5). Omer Yurtseven was the game’s high scorer with 22 points on 9-for-16 shooting.
This matchup pits one of the nation’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. North Carolina State currently ranks 51st in offensive efficiency and Miami is eighth in defensive efficiency.
Miami heads into the contest with records of 13-4 straight up (SU) and 6-5-1 against the spread (ATS). Of the Hurricanes’ 12 games that accepted bets, seven have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, North Carolina State is 13-6 SU and 6-6 ATS. Unlike Miami, games featuring the Wolfpack tend to finish over the O/U total (58.3 percent).
After the Hurricanes won both meetings against the Wolfpack last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent game, Miami won 84-79. Miami won the rebounding battle. The Hurricanes had more offensive rebounds (17 vs. five), defensive rebounds (19 vs. 16) and total rebounds (36 vs. 21).
Miami Hurricanes at North Carolina State Wolfpack Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – North Carolina State, ATS Winner – North Carolina State, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Miami is 5-4-1 ATS on the road with 7 unders and 3 overs.
North Carolina State is 5-1 ATS at home with 5 overs and 1 under.
Miami averages 4.4 blocks per game, which ranks 49th in the nation. North Carolina State ranks 126th in blocks allowed per game (4.0).
The Hurricanes rank 24th in assists allowed per game (10.8) while the Wolfpack rank 101st (13.0).
North Carolina State averages 8.2 steals per game, which ranks 23rd in the NCAA. Miami ranks 87th in steals allowed per game (6.1).
The Wolfpack rank 80th in rebounds per game (37.6) while the Hurricanes rank 138th in rebounds allowed per game (34.9).
North Carolina State ranks 43rd in three pointers allowed per game (19.3) while Miami ranks 65th (20.0).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Miami is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
North Carolina State is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Hurricanes have been outscored by an average of 1.4 points in their last five games. For the season, Miami has defeated opponents by an average of 11.2 points.
During their last five games, the Wolfpack have scored an average of 71.0 points per game (9.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 76.2 points per game (4.1 above their season average).
