Expect a shootout when the North Carolina State Wolfpack (19-9, 9-6 ACC) and the No. 25 Florida State Seminoles (19-8, 8-7 ACC) clash at PNC Arena. North Carolina State is a 2-point favorite on the opening line, while the games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 164.5 points. Action gets underway at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 25, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPNU.
Florida State Seminoles vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack ATS Preview
In the Seminoles last contest, they beat the Pittsburgh Panthers, 88-75. With 14 points, Florida State’s M.J. Walker had a good performance. Florida State dominated every stat category in the game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.9 (below their season average of 34.9) and a free throw rate of 0.617 (above their season average of 0.236). Pittsburgh was 11.5 and 0.313, respectively, for those same stats.
The Wolfpack hope to keep it rolling after topping the Boston College Eagles in their last contest, 82-66. North Carolina State received a boost from Allerik Freeman, who led the team in scoring with 20 points on 6-for-14 shooting. The Wolfpack knocked down 13 of their 17 free throws (76.5 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.663 (above their season average of 0.526).
This battle figures to be a high-scoring affair as a pair of the NCAA’s top offenses square off. North Carolina State ranks 49th with 113.0 points per 100 possessions and Florida State is 31st (114.1). Additionally, the Seminoles, who rank 28th in offensive rebounding percentage (34.7 percent), will attempt to exploit the Wolfpack, who rank 308th in defensive rebounding percentage (68.0 percent).
Games involving these teams have a tendency to finish over the projected point total. Florida State games have finished over 64.0 percent of the time, while 57.1 percent of North Carolina State games have gone over. Both teams have respectable straight up (SU) records (19-8 for Florida State; 19-9 for North Carolina State), but the Seminoles have the edge against the spread (ATS). Florida State is 13-10-2 ATS, while the Wolfpack are 11-10.
This is the first time these teams will meet this year. The Seminoles won the sole game played against each other last season, 95-71. The Seminoles dominated every facet of the game. They had an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 55.3 and an extraordinarily low turnover percentage of 7.7. For those same stats, the Wolfpack were 22.2 and 14.0, respectively.
Florida State Seminoles vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack ATS Prediction
Free Pick: SU Winner – North Carolina State, ATS Winner – North Carolina State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Seminoles average 15.6 assists per game, which ranks 54th in the nation. The Wolfpack rank 154th in assists allowed per game (13.7).
- North Carolina State ranks 32nd in steals per game (7.6) while Florida State ranks 98th in steals allowed per game (6.0).
- Florida State is 7-5-1 ATS on the road, while North Carolina State is 7-3 ATS at home.
- The Seminoles have 8 overs and 5 unders in 13 road games.
- The Wolfpack have 7 overs and 3 unders in 10 home games.
- North Carolina State ranks 38th in three pointers allowed per game (19.4) while Florida State ranks 211th (23.4).
- The Seminoles rank 30th in blocks per game (4.7) while the Wolfpack rank 161st in blocks allowed per game (3.9).
- Florida State averages 38.9 rebounds per game, which ranks 33rd in the nation. North Carolina State ranks 156th in rebounds allowed per game (35.0).
Betting Trends:
- North Carolina State is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Florida State is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Wolfpack’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.8, down from 7.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Seminoles have scored an average of 74.6 points per game (8.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 74.6 points per game (1.2 above their season average).
