NC State Wolfpack (25-14) vs. Duke Blue Devils (27-8)
The Elite 8 showdown between the NC State Wolfpack and the Duke Blue Devils is one of the most anticipated matchups of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Set for a Sunday evening tip-off on Sunday, this game pits two storied programs against each other with a Final Four berth on the line. Fans and bettors alike are scouring the best online betting sites for insights and odds on this clash of titans.
NC State has proven to be one of the toughest teams out here with their resilience and talent. They score an average of 76.5 points with a shooting accuracy of 45.1% in the field and deserve plaudits for the offensive effort. In addition to that, the team is successful not only inside the court but also from outside it, they made 34.7% of their three-point attempts. Offensively, NC State averages 73.8 points, with 35.2 defensive rebounds and 7.3 steals and 3.6 blocks, which is proof that they can disrupt a game both on the offensive and defensive end.
Consequently, Duke leads in offensive efficiency with an average of 79.8 points per game at 48.2% three point shooting. Duke’s long-distance shooting is also highly competitive, with shooting accuracy of 38.1%. The Blue Devils are proficient rebounding, averaging 36.6 per game, they have a bolstered defense with 6.7 steals and 3.7 blocks per game. Duke could still prevail in a close game with this statistical edge, which lies in shooting percentage and rebounding.
NC State Wolfpack vs. Duke Blue Devils Game Info
| When: | Sunday, March 31, 2024, at 5:05 PM ET |
| Where: | American Airlines Center |
| TV: | CBS |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
DJ Horne (Guard) vs. Kyle Filipowski (Center)
DJ Horne is an NC State stalwart who is contributing greatly in any aspect of the game. He is averaging 16.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Mr. Keatts’ long range shooting (40.6% from three-point line) and overall field goal percentage (43.9%) make him a key part of the Wolfpack unit’s success. Nevertheless, the game against Duke will be measured by his explosiveness, particularly by his matchup against Kyle Filipowski who is a versatile defender.
Kyle Filipowski has been a point of discussion for Duke not only because he averages 16.6 points and shoots 51.5% from the field but also because of his rebounding prowess as he grabs 8.2 boards per game. Such defensive prowess with an average of 1.6 blocks per game might pose certain difficulties for Horne and the Wolfpack’s offense.
The matchup between Horne and Filipowski reflects the struggle of the perimeter offense of NC State and the interior defense of Duke. The possibility of internally converting such challenges will affect the game in a significant way.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: Duke Blue Devils -322, Total Odds: 152
The betting odds reflect Duke’s position as the favorite, with a -322 moneyline and a 7.5-point advantage on the spread. The total over/under is set at 152, indicating expectations for a relatively high-scoring game, aligning with both teams’ offensive capabilities.
NC State Wolfpack Betting Trends
The Wolfpack are currently on a roll, having won their last 5 games and covered the spread in 4 out of those 5 games. With a balanced road record against the spread (8-8), they seem to be playoff bound. In 3 of their last 5 fixtures, the Over took place – this reveals the strong offense of the team.
Duke Blue Devils Betting Trends
The Blue Devils have been less consistent in their last 5 games, with their 3-2 record both straight up and against the spread. Their road performances against the point spread (5-6) also doesn’t instill confidence. Nevertheless, the ability of Duke to slow down the game and their solid defense will probably be the decisive factor in order to win the game and justify their bet.
NC State Wolfpack vs. Duke Blue Devils 3/31/24 Betting Picks
This game has everything to be an enthralling competition because Duke’s collection of efficient and experienced players seems very likely to bring the classics to their side. Indeed, NC State’s recent form and their ability to match with the top teams are not to be undermined. This especially goes for the current spread of the match at 7.5 points.
Considering that both teams are excellent goal scorers and the fact that the game will be very highly contested, capitalizing on the over on the total points score appears to be a safe bet. While it holds true that Duke’s attack and defense might finally win the game and cover the spread, there is an opposite chance of the Blue Devils winning.
Expert March Madness picks recommend a cautious approach, given the unpredictable nature of the tournament. However, Duke’s overall consistency and performance metrics make them the safer bet, albeit NC State’s resilience could make them a tempting underdog pick for the spread.
