NC State vs. Virginia
Tip off: 2:25 PM EST
Spread: VA -2.5
Bet at Bookmaker, the source of these odds
NC State
NC State is on the bubble of the tournament. Sitting 21-11, they finished with a 9-7 ACC record, and rank highly in most of the major statistical categories, scoring 73.8 points per game, 46th best in the nation.
Things were going much better before hitting a tough spot in the schedule. Back to back to back losses against ranked conference foes Duke, FSU, and North Carolina brought NC State back to reality before closing the season with three straight wins against Miami (FL), Virginia Tech, and Boston College. The last win, over BC, was a 21 point pounding at home. They began the gas with a 14-0 run and they pulled away in the second half to seal a nice victory and finish the ACC season. Scott Wood had a monster game, going 7 of 11 from the floor, including 5 of 9 from three point range, en route to a team high 22 points. The Wolfpack shot just 43.3% from the floor, but hit 8 of 19 threes and kept their turnovers under check (11).
All five Wolfpack starters average double figures in scoring, paced by C.J. Leslie’s 14.2 per game. Leslie recorded a double double with 11 point and 11 rebounds in the win over Boston College last night. It was his third straight double double, and fourth in five games, after recording a monster 24 point 12 rebound performance against UNC.
Wolfpack Betting Trends:
M/L: 3-2
OVER 4 of the last 5 games.
Avg Total: 141.9
Virginia
Virginia is on the bubble of being ranked, having received 34 votes in the AP poll and 18 votes in the Coaches Poll. They are 22-8 and have gone 9-7 in the tough ACC this year. Their numbers aren’t particularly impressive, but the results have been. The Cavaliers reeled off 12 straight wins between November 19th and January 7th, including an impressive victory over then #15 ranked Michigan. Reality returned as the streak ended in a three point road loss to Duke, but at that point, many were thinking Virginia would be a formidable opponent come March.
They got things together to close the season, winning three of their final five, but failed to beat any of their rank ACC opponents. The three point victory over Maryland in Overtime last week was very impressive, though. Mike Scott scored a career high 35 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and he scored 14 of his points in OT. His previous high in ACC play was 28. Sammy Zeglinkski contributed 20 points in his own right, also matching Scott in minutes played, as both logged a grueling 44 minute gae. Jontel Evans was there with them most of the way, also playing 42 minutes and finishing with 6 points and 6 assists.
Joe Harris has been huge for the Cavs as well, this season. The 6’6″ sophomore swingman has made strides from last season, improving his field goal percentage from 41 to 45%, mostly by virtue of taking better shots and less threes. Seeing the same amount of minutes he did his freshman year roughly (30), he is averaging 11.2 points per game and nearly a steal per night. Harris gives the Cavs a good second option when Scott is having off nights or needs a rest.
Cavaliers Betting Trends:
Virginia has gone 2-4-1 ATS in their last 7 games and the total has gone UNDER in 13 of their last 18 games. They are 18-7 SU in their last 25 games and 5-1 SU in their last 6 against NC State.
