It will be a showdown between two great offenses when the 23rd-ranked Louisville Cardinals (13-5, 4-1 ACC) take on the 21st-ranked North Carolina State Wolfpack (15-3, 3-2 ACC) at KFC Yum! Center. Action gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 24, 2019, and can be seen on ESPN 3.
North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Louisville Cardinals ATS Odds
Both teams were victorious in their last game. The Cardinals had no trouble getting past the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 79-51, while the Wolfpack were victorious over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 77-73.
North Carolina State played a nearly flawless game. They had a fantastically low turnover percentage of 8.5 (better than their season average of 15.6) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 31.7 (below their season average of 38.2). Notre Dame recorded marks of 11.5 and 25.0, respectively, for those same stats. The Cardinals, on the other hand, held the Yellow Jackets to an offensive rebounding percentage of 15.8 (below their season average of 26.0). The Yellow Jackets also had a turnover percentage of 21.9 (above the 15.1 mark opponents have averaged against Louisville this season). Louisville was led by Jordan Nwora, who recorded 25 points and eight rebounds. C.J. Bryce was a key piece for North Carolina State with 23 points and five rebounds.
The Wolfpack won the only game between these two teams last season, 76-69. The Wolfpack’s turnover percentage was their largest advantage over the Cardinals. North Carolina State had a rate of 5.4, while Louisville posted a mark of 19.3. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the high-octane offense of Louisville (30th in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 114.0) takes on the stingy defense of North Carolina State (28th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 93.3). Also, the Wolfpack are among the country’s best on the offensive backboards, ranking 11th in offensive rebounding percentage (37.8 percent). The Cardinals, however, rank 15th at grabbing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 76.7 percent.
North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Louisville Cardinals Odds Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Louisville, ATS Winner – North Carolina State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- North Carolina State ranks 39th in steals per game (7.9) while Louisville ranks 182nd (5.0).
- The Wolfpack rank 20th in rebounds per game (40.4) while the Cardinals rank 52nd (38.7).
- North Carolina State ranks 42nd in three pointers allowed per game (19.6) while Louisville ranks 70th (20.6).
- The Wolfpack rank 18th in assists per game (17.3) while the Cardinals rank 106th (14.1).
- North Carolina State averages 4.1 blocks per game, which ranks 61st in the nation. Louisville ranks 112th in blocks allowed per game (3.6).
Bettings Trends:
- The Cardinals’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 14.6, up from 11.2 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Wolfpack have scored an average of 79.8 points per game (6.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 79.2 points per game (10.4 above their season average).
