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The 11th-seeded NC State Wolfpack (23-10) and No. 6 Creighton Bluejays (21-12) battle in an NCAA Tournament South Region first-round game Friday in Denver. The contest at Ball Arena will tip off at 4 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the NC State vs. Creighton odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
NC State is in the Big Dance for the 1st time since 2018. Its overall record is buoyed by an 11-2 stretch from Dec. 13-Feb. 4. The Wolfpack defense has struggled over recent games. The team is 1-3 and allowing a 50% mark from the floor since Feb. 25.
Creighton’s story is similar. After some early-season struggles, the Bluejays went 11-2 from Dec. 22-Feb. 11. They lost 3 of 4 after that, but they’re 3-1 this month and ranked No. 22.
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NC State vs. Creighton odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:32 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: NC State +175 (bet $100 to win $175) | Creighton -230 (bet $230 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): NC State +5.5 (-118) | Creighton -5.5 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 147.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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NC State vs. Creighton picks and predictions
Prediction
Creighton 71, NC State 66
Moneyline
NC State defends well along the perimeter, and that is a big key against this 3-firing Bluejays bunch. Creighton has averaged 27.1 treys per game over its last 7 games.
Creighton winning this one 70% of the time and by about 2 possessions put these underdog prices out of value’s reach. PASS.
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Against the spread
The Bluejays are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games against teams playing .600 ball. A +6 or +6.5 would make this a more difficult call, but as is, this one is in the bookmaker’s pocket. PASS.
Over/Under
Both sides do well to take care of the basketball, and neither gets to the line much with it. There will be quite a few 3-balls. But both teams have played schedules tilting toward better offensive talent. Look for them to shine on the defensive end in this neutral barn.
BACK THE UNDER 147.5 (-105).
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