In this article we will formulate a Duke vs NC State betting prediction for this NCAA Tournament college basketball game on Sunday, March 31st at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:
- The Duke recent form and recent player performance
- The NC State recent form and recent play performance
- Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Duke
- Recent Betting trends and streaks involving NC State
- Recent betting trends in games played between Duke and NC State
- A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between Duke and NC State
Duke Preview
The Duke Blue Devils are 27-8 (15-5) this season after they defeated Houston by a score of 54-51 in their last game. Duke was trailing when Shead got hurt for Houston in the first half, but they were able to take advantage and hold off the Cougars in the second half for the win. The Blue Devils shot 40.8% from the field and were +4 in rebounding margin in the game. Duke defeated James Madison by a score of 93-55 and Vermont by a score of 64-47 in their first two games. The Blue Devils are scoring 79 points per game with 36.5 rebounds per game and 15.4 assists per game, while allowing 66 points against per game this year. Kyle Filipowski is averaging 16.6 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game, and 2.8 assists per game. Duke is shooting 48.2% from the field, 72.2% on free throws, and 37.7% on three pointers this season.
NC State Preview
The NC State Wolfpack are 25-14 (9-11) this year after they defeated Marquette by a score of 67-58 in their last game. NC State led 37-24 at the half and they were able to get the win, despite being outscored in the second half. The Wolfpack shot 46.4% from the field and were +7 in rebounding margin in the game. NC State defeated Oakland in overtime by a score of 79-73 and Texas Tech by a score of 80-67 in their first two games. The Wolfpack are scoring 76.3 points per game with 35.4 rebounds per game and 13.1 assists per game, while giving up 72.2 points against per game this season. DJ Horne is averaging 16.8 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, and 2.1 assists per game. NC State is shooting 45% from the field, 73.4% on free throws, and 34.7% on three pointers this year.
Duke vs NC State Betting Prediction
We didn’t think we would see an ACC matchup in the Elite Eight this season, but here we are as Duke and NC State have proved people wrong. NC State needed overtime to get by Oakland in the second round, but they took it to Marquette on Friday night and played very solid defense. Duke benefitted from an injury to Houston’s best player, but they did hold Houston to just 51 points in the win. Duke won the first meeting with NC State this year by a score of 79-64, while NC State won the second matchup by a score of 74-69. NC State continues to surprise me with how well they are playing, while Duke has been able to take advantage of pretty easy draw, especially with Houston’s injury issue. I think this is going to be a great game that could go either way, so give me the points with NC State. The winner of this game will face Purdue or Tennessee in the next round.