NC State vs. BYU Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The NC State Wolfpack (4-0) will take on the BYU Cougars (5-0) on Friday in the championship game of the Vegas Showdown. NC State defeated Vanderbilt 84-78 in its opening game of the tournament on Thursday night, well BYU defeated Arizona State 77-49. NC State will play without G Kam Woods and G MJ Rice. BYU’s C Aly Khalifa is questionable, while G Dawson Baker is out.
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NC State must tighten up its defense
The NC State Wolfpack gave up 78 points to Vanderbilt in its victory on Thursday despite Vanderbilt playing without its leading scorer. The Woflpack allowed Vanderbilt to shoot 44.6% overall and 31.8% from 3-point territory. The Wolfpack gave up nine offensive rebounds and 40 rebounds in all to Vanderbilt while grabbing just 37 of their own. North Carolina State nearly squandered a 17-point lead.
NC State shot 42.9% overall and was strong from 3-point territory hitting 42.1% of its long distance attempts. The Wolfpack had 11 offensive rebounds, 12 steals and forced Vanderbilt to turn the ball over 19 times. Jayden Taylor and Dennis Parker Jr each had 18 points to lead the Wolfpack, while DJ Burns Jr and Parker Jr each grabbed 9 boards. NC State is averaging 81.8 points per game and shooting 45.8% overall while allowing 63.5 points per game and 39.9% shooting.
BYU continues to score and defend well
The BYU Cougars averaged 95.5 points per game prior to their victory over Arizona State on Thursday night and are now averaging 91.8 points per game which is 6th in the nation. BYU is allowing an average of only 55.0 points per game, which is fifth best after allowing Arizona State just 49 points. BYU shot only 40.9% overall but sank 42.4% of its three-point attempts and held Arizona State to 33.3% shooting and 10.0% shooting from behind the 3-point line. Noah Waterman scored 24 points on 9 for 14 shooting for the Cougars.
BYU out rebounded Arizona State 51-32, grabbing 18 offensive boards to make up for below average shooting and holding Arizona State to just eight offensive rebounds. Jaxson Robinson, who was averaging 15.2 points per game prior to Thursday's matchup with Arizona State, scored just eight points and played only 19 minutes in the 28-point victory. Three players were ejected for BYU in a late fight.
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BYU Cougars will be too much for NC State on both ends of the court Friday. BYU scores 91.8 points per game and is shooting 47.5% overall, while NC State is scoring 81.8 points per game and shooting 45.8% overall. NC State has a solid defense, allowing 63.5 points per game and 39.9% shooting but BYU is holding opponents to an average of only 55.0 points per game and just 37.1% shooting. BYU won by 28 points on Thursday over Arizona State despite leading scorer Jaxson Robinson scoring just eight points and the Cougars have a balanced attack, with five players averaging double figures in scoring and each of the five shoot between 40.5% and 66.7%, with three of the five are shooting between 40% and 66.7% from 3-point territory. BYU is a perfect 5-0 against the spread this season, while NC State is 2-2 and failed to cover as a 7.5-point favorite on Thursday when defeating Vanderbilt by six points.
Prediction: BYU Cougars
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BYU scores an average of 91.8 points per game and NC State is scoring an average of 81.8 points per game but those numbers can be thrown out the window on Friday as both will be playing for a second consecutive day and in the championship of this tournament which will bring defense into play. In addition, BYU is holding upon his own average of just 55 points per game, while NC State allows just 63.3 points per game. The total has finished under in each of BYU's last four games. The total has finished under two of NC State's first four games with one push and one over.
Prediction: under
Kevin grew up in a sports-only household. Every afternoon was set to watching any sport that was on T.V. After years of watching sports he got introduced to the betting world, and soon stats, trends, and odds were Kevin's best friends. Now, almost 2 decades later, His life revolves around sports, writing about them, and betting on them. We are glad to have Kevin on our Winners & Whiners & StatSalt teams and you should be happy that we have him as well.
