Boston College vs. NC State
Tip off: 2:25 PM EST
Spread: NC -12.5
Total: 133
Bet at Bookmaker, where these betting odds are drawn from.
Boston College
This season hasn’t gone quite as well as last year for Boston College. Last year they finished 21-13 and had a winning 9-7 conference record, and they also made it to the NIT. This year? Try 9-21with a 4-12 ACC record. So, it’s no surprise that the Eagles find themselves double digit underdogs to a good team like NC State.
The Eagles rank in the bottom quarter of all major statistical categories and are getting murdered on the boards, as they manage to grab less than 30 rebounds a game. They have a balanced, if ineffective, scoring attack. No Eagles player averages more than 10 points per game, and they play a 8 man rotation, in which only one player even sees 30 minutes night (Matt Humphrey, 30.4). Ryan Anderson and Humphrey combine for 21.3 points per game, 36% of the Eagles’ offensive output. Anderson, a lanky 6’8 freshman, has been about the only bright spot for the Eagles.
He’s averaging 7.2 boards per game in addition to his 10.8 points per night, and while there is room for improvement in his shooting (42.3% FG, 25.6% three), he has shown enough promise to give the Eagles some room for optimism moving forward. He was ranked in the top 100 in his high school class and he would be more of a role player on a better team, but on a team like Boston College he is a featured player.
The Eagles have dropped five of their last six after winning an impressive one over then #17 Florida State. Seminoles guard Michael Snaer admitted the Seminoles were “not as focused as they should have been.” They actually led the game midway through the first half after hitting six threes and going on a 23-3 run, which transformed a 13 point deficit into a 7 point lead. The lead that the Eagles held at halftime was only their second halftime lead all season.
Boston College Betting Trends:
Last 10 Vs NC State: 5-5 SU, 7-3 ATS, 3-7 OU, Avg Score, 68, Avg Allowed, 67.9; Avg Total: 135.9
NC State
Last season, the Wolfpack finished a game under .500 and had a 5-11 ACC record, not to mention the first round oust by Maryland in the ACC tournament.
This season, the story has been far different. They are 20-11 and 4th in the ACC, having won 9 of their 16 conference games, though they did drop all five matches against ranked opponents (UNC twice, Viginia, Duke, FSU). They’ve won their last two however, and took care of Virginia Tech in impressive fashion, winning 70-58 after leading by 9 at halftime. Scott Wood scored 19 points and it snapped a four game losing streak to the Hokies. C.J. Leslie also contributed 18 points, but committed 6 of the Wolfpacks’ 18 turnovers. Despite having won that game, they must take better care of the basketball to beat the better teams in the ACC.
Leslie, a 6’8″ sophomore plays the second fewest minutes of any Wolfpack starter, yet he scores the most, averaging 14.3 points per game to go with 7.1 boards. He also been playing very well of late, and is averaging 20.4 points per game and 10.2 rebounds per game over his last five games. He has also shot over 50% from the floor in all five games, save a near miss (46.7%) against Clemson. As good as Leslie has been, the reality is that his talent alone dictates that he should be far better. His athleticism and big play making ability should translate into big numbers, and 14.3 points per game isn’t that bad, but it isn’t what he is really capable of, in most peoples’ opinions.
While the Wolfpack did win only 2 of those 5 games, but it was a tough stretch in the schedule to be sure, and their successes earlier included winning 9 out 10 at one stretch, before falling back to reality against ranked opponents. For all they haven’t been against ranked opponents, Boston College is anything but ranked. NC State should be able to take care of business provided Leslie shows up to play.
NC State Betting Trends:
NC State is 14-7 SU in their last 21 games and the total has gone OVER in 5 of their last 6 games. The Wolfpack is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games and 2-7 ATS in their last 9 against Boston College. The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the last 5 against BC, and they are 4-1 SU in their last 5 against BC.
