The nation’s top scoring defense will be on the road at PNC Arena, when the third-ranked Virginia Cavaliers (18-1, 6-1 ACC) clash with the 21st-ranked North Carolina State Wolfpack (16-4, 4-3 ACC). 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 Betting Odds
Both teams were triumphant in their last game. The Wolfpack won a close one over the Clemson Tigers 69-67, while the Cavaliers had no trouble getting past the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 82-55.
Virginia played a perfect game. They had an extraordinarily low turnover percentage of 2.8 (better than their season average of 12.3) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 32.4 (above their season average of 30.6). For those same stats, Notre Dame had marks of 9.8 and 22.7, respectively. Meanwhile, North Carolina State’s effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Clemson. The Wolfpack had a rate of 0.528 (below their season average of 0.559), while the Tigers posted a mark of 0.490. North Carolina State received a boost from C.J. Bryce, who had 15 points and seven rebounds. Ty Jerome, meanwhile played well for Virginia, putting up 13 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
The Cavaliers won the sole game between these two teams last year, 68-51. Virginia did a fantastic job of converting from the charity stripe (14-16; 87.5 percent). North Carolina State, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (40.0 vs. 27.8). This is the first time these teams will clash this year.
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. Also, the Cavaliers rank first in turnover percentage (13.6 percent), while the Wolfpack rank 21st in opponents’ turnover percentage (23.6 percent).
Virginia Cavaliers vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Virginia, ATS Winner – North Carolina State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- North Carolina State ranks 28th in rebounds per game (39.5) while Virginia ranks 140th (35.8).
- The Cavaliers rank 29th in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while the Wolfpack rank 93rd (3.3).
- North Carolina State ranks 32nd in three pointers allowed per game (19.1) while Virginia ranks 42nd (19.7).
- The Cavaliers rank 18th in steals allowed per game (4.9) while the Wolfpack rank 125th (6.6).
- North Carolina State ranks 20th in assists per game (16.8) while Virginia ranks 90th (14.4).
Bettings Trends:
- The Wolfpack’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.2, down from 15.9 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 72.8 points per game (1.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 54.8 points per game (2.2 above their season average).
