The No. 22 NC State Wolfpack (19-5, 9-4 ACC) will look to add another loss to the No. 9 Virginia Cavaliers (17-4, 9-3) in Charlottesville Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET (ACC Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the NC State vs. Virginia odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
NC State, despite not being ranked, comes into this game on a 4-game winning streak since losing 80-69 to UNC Jan. 21. The Wolfpack, who came into that game as 6.5-point underdogs, were not able to keep it close against their rivals. But they have been able to win convincingly since then. This includes the last 2 games, a 94-66 win over Florida State as 10-point favorites and most recently, a 72-64 win as 14-point favorites against Georgia Tech Saturday.
As NC State was beating Georgia Tech, Virginia was losing to cross-state rival Virginia Tech 74-68 as 2-point underdogs. This was the Cavaliers’ 3rd-straight loss at Virginia Tech, and they will be happy to get back on their home court for this showdown with the Wolfpack.
Virginia, one of the slowest teams in the nation, will look to use its defense, which ranks 10th at 60.9 points, to hold down an NC State offense, which ranks 28th at 79.6 points. While doing so, Virginia will look to improve on its 213rd ranked offense averaging only 70.3 points.
Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Can you survive? New pro and college basketball survivor pools are here at USA TODAY Sports! Free to play; terms and conditions apply. Join now!
NC State at Virginia odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:54 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): NC State +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Virginia -340 (bet $340 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): NC State +7.5 (-115) | Virginia -7.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 133.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Catch the excitement and bet with Tipico
Double Down, Ohio! Deposit $200, Get $250. Bet now!
In Colorado and New Jersey, claim your 100% Deposit Match up to $250 now. Bet now! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions.
NC State at Virginia picks and predictions
Prediction
Virginia 66, NC State 61
Moneyline
PASS on the ML.
Virginia, coming off a loss to rival Virginia Tech, will be looking to get back on track against the Wolfpack. Being on their home court, the Cavaliers will be able to better control the pace of play and limit the possessions NC State will get.
The Cavaliers ML at -340 is too much to wager on unless you are adding it into a large parlay.
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Against the spread
Take NC STATE +7.5 (-115) on the spread.
In their last 4 games after a loss, the Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread 3 times. They are also 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Tuesday games.
With the pace of play favored by Virginia, games are not likely to get out of hand. 7.5 points against a team on a 4-game winning streak is too much to manage. This will be a close game until the end.
Over/Under
UNDER 133.5 (-110) is the play here.
NC State has gone Under the total in 4 of its last 6 road games while also going Under in 4 of its last 6 road games against teams with winning records.
Virginia will control the pacing and make sure scoring does not get its day in the sun. A game in the 50’s is possible. But a game in the low 60’s is all but a certainty. The Under is the side to play.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Want action on this basketball game or any other sports contest? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Dominick Petrillo on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]