The No. 3 Virginia Cavaliers (18-1, 6-1 ACC) head to North Carolina State to take on the No. 21 Wolfpack (16-4, 4-3 ACC) in a matchup that pits great offense against tremendous defense. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, and will air on ESPN2.
Virginia Cavaliers at North Carolina State Wolfpack Free Prediction
In the Cavaliers’ last contest, they blew out the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 82-55. The Cavaliers had an extraordinarily low turnover percentage of 2.8 (better than their season average of 12.3) and held the Fighting Irish to an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.7 (below their season average of 30.4). Virginia was lifted by Ty Jerome, who finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
The Wolfpack won a close one over the Clemson Tigers in their last game, 69-67. North Carolina State had a better effective field goal percentage (0.528 vs. 0.490). Clemson, meanwhile, had a free throw rate of 0.333 (above their season average of 0.255). With 15 points and seven rebounds, North Carolina State’s C.J. Bryce had a good outing.
This battle pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. North Carolina State ranks 13th in offensive efficiency and Virginia ranks second in defensive efficiency. Moreover, the Cavaliers rank first in turnover percentage (13.6 percent), while the Wolfpack rank 21st in opponents’ turnover percentage (23.6 percent).
After the Cavaliers won the only game against the Wolfpack last season, 68-51, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. Virginia did an excellent job of converting from the free throw line (14-16; 87.5 percent). North Carolina State, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (40.0 vs. 27.8).
Virginia Cavaliers vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Virginia, ATS Winner – Virginia, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
North Carolina State ranks 20th in assists per game (16.8) while Virginia ranks 90th (14.4).
Bettings Trends:
The Cavaliers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 18.0, down from 21.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wolfpack have scored an average of 75.2 points per game (10.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 75.0 points per game (5.5 above their season average).
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