NC State vs. Clemson Odds
| NC State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -110 | 149 -110o / -110u | +112 |
| Clemson Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -110 | 149 -110o / -110u | -134 |
It's a down year for the ACC, which could mean NCAA tournament bids will come at a premium for those in the conference. Two teams likely to be fighting for one of those bids will matchup on Friday afternoon.
N.C. State will hit the road for just the second time this season as it takes on the Clemson Tigers. The Wolfpack head to LittleJohn Coliseum with an 11-3 record, though they are just 1-2 in conference.
Clemson is 10-3 on the season and looking to remain undefeated in conference play, having already beaten Wake Forest and Georgia Tech. The Tigers have also notched impressive wins over Penn State and Richmond.
N.C. State leads the conference in scoring margin, but Clemson ranks fourth in scoring defense. Let's dig into the odds and offer up a betting pick.
NC State Wolfpack
The Wolfpack are the 24th highest scoring team in college basketball, averaging 80.6 points per game. N.C. State loves to push the pace. The Wolfpack rarely miss, and turn the ball over even less.
N.C. State leads the ACC in adjusted tempo, ranking 60th in the nation. When it comes to effective field goal percentage, the Wolfpack are 59th at 53.6%. As a team, the Wolfpack average just 11.3 turnovers per game.
The Wolfpack offense, which has been been impressive, could face some serious challenges against Clemson. N.C. State ranks in the top 25 in field goal attempts, averaging 63.2 per game. However, I don't expect it to get as many looks against a Clemson side holding opponents to just 56.1 attempts per game.
N.C. State also thrives off of turnovers. The Wolfpack for 15.1 turnovers per game and average 16.9 points off those turnovers. However, Clemson turns the ball over just 11.3 times per contest.
N.C. State ranks in the 93rd percentile or better over its past five games in field goal percentage both in the paint and on corner threes. Clemson, on the other hand, has allowed teams to shoot 43.8% in the paint and 35.1% on corner threes over its past five games.
If Clemson continues to struggle defending those prime areas against N.C. State, the Wolfpack could run wild.
Clemson Tigers
The Tigers may lack N.C. State's overall experience, but do have an edge in Minutes Continuity from a season ago. The Tigers beat the Wolfpack twice last season and know what it takes to do it again.
This year's Clemson team has excelled from three-point range. The Tigers are 15th in the nation when it comes to three-point percentage, cashing in on 39.4% of attempts. And they've been even better when it comes to three-point attempts above the break.
Image Credit: CBB Analytics
Clemson was already in the 99th percentile on shots above the break this season, but over the past five games, the Tigers have improved and are shooting 43.4%. N.C. State has been solid defending above the break and is holding teams to just 29.8% over its past five games.
In their two wins last season, Clemson was able to hold the Wolfpack to just 65 and 64 points. I don't expect the Tigers to limit the Wolfpack's scoring quite to that level, but slowing the game down will go a long way.
The Tigers will also have to focus on limiting scoring runs as much as they can. No team in the ACC has been better than N.C. State at going on runs of 10 or more unanswered points. The Wolfpack have done so 11 times this season.
NC State vs. Clemson Betting Pick
Both of these teams have been impressive this season and I think this game could go either way, depending on who controls the glass.
N.C. State is averaging 10.4 offensive rebounds per game and coming down with the defensive rebound on 77.4% of opportunities. Clemson, meanwhile. has been even better when it comes to to defensive rebound percentage and is top 20 in the nation when it comes to limiting offensive rebounds.
What stands out the most to me is how well each offense matches up with the opposing defense. I think both teams will be able to find success on the offensive end despite both defenses holding teams to less than 68 points per game.
We could very easily see both of these teams light it up from three-point range, and I wouldn't be surprised to see this turn into a shootout early. I'll be on the over at any number 149.5 or better.
It is a high total, but I think both of these teams have the ability to break 75. The over is 7-3 when Clemson is at home and 9-3 when the Tigers are the favorite.
Pick: Over 149 or Better |
What is QuickSlip?
QuickSlip is an Action Network feature that allows users to automatically pre-load their bet slip at FanDuel Sportsbook.
