The Duke Blue Devils (22-3) visit the Atlantic Coast Conference-rival NC State Wolfpack (16-9) for a 9 p.m. ET tip-off Wednesday at PNC Arena. We analyze the Duke-NC State odds and betting lines, with college basketball betting advice and tips around this matchup.
Duke at NC State: Three things you need to know
- NC State hosts Duke after wrapping up a three-game road trip where the Wolfpack were 2-1. They lost their previous two home games to the Louisville Cardinals Feb. 1 (77-57) and the North Carolina Tar Heels Jan. 27 (75-65).
- Duke has won seven straight games and is currently atop the ACC standings with a 12-2 conference record.
- The point guard matchup should take center stage in Duke-NC State. Duke sophomore Tre Jones has the most assists per game, and NC State senior Markell Johnson has the second-most, for an ACC player.
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Duke at NC State: Odds, betting lines and picks
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Duke 74, NC State 71
Moneyline (ML)
As per usual, Duke is stacked with talent; the Blue Devils have eight of RSCI’s Top-100 recruits on their roster. NC State hopes its experience makes up for the talent discrepancy versus Duke. The Wolfpack only have two top-100 RSCI recruits on its roster—one of which is starter F Manny Bates—but there are four upperclassmen in their starting five.
I am going to PASS ON A MONEYLINE bet because Duke -278 is too chalky and NC State (+220) is a live dog but not getting good enough odds to bet. I’d back the Wolfpack if they were between +300-350 on the money line since NC State has a 3-2 record in its last five home games against Duke, two victories were by double-digits.
Against the Spread (ATS)
TAKE NC STATE +6.5 (-115) because of its recent success against the spread when facing Duke. The Wolfpack have won five straight ATS versus Duke and, for whatever reason, play really well on Wednesdays. NC State is 5-0 straight up and ATS in Wednesday games. Plus, the underdog is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings.
Over/Under (O/U)
On one hand, six straight Duke-NC State games have gone Over the projected total by an average of 15.8 points per contest. On the other hand, this season’s trends for both teams point to the Under. NC State has a 3-11 Over/Under record at home this season and Duke has a 5-3 O/U record in away games. Also, the Under is 4-0 in the Wolfpack’s last four games as a home underdog and 10-1 in the Wolfpack’s last 11 games following a straight-up loss.
BET UNDER 152.5 (-115).
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