The NC State Wolfpack (15-4, 5-3 ACC) and North Carolina Tar Heels (13-6, 5-3) meet Saturday at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET (ACC Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the NC State vs. North Carolina odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Wolfpack have come alive with 4-consecutive victories, including a rout of Triangle-rival Duke and an OT win over ranked Miami. NC State is 3-1 ATS during the win streak, and it has won 6 of the past 7 games overall to get on the cusp of the rankings. The Under is 5-1-1 in the previous 7 outings.
The Tar Heels opened as the preseason No. 1, but UNC fell on hard times in November and December. It has started to piece things together lately, however, winning 4 of the past 5 overall, with just a loss at ranked Virginia. The Under has cashed in 3 in a row for the Heels.
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NC State at North Carolina odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): NC State +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | North Carolina -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): NC State +5.5 (-110) | North Carolina -5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 153.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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NC State at North Carolina picks and predictions
Prediction
North Carolina 78, NC State 76
Moneyline
North Carolina (-250) playing on its home floor will be the difference here. The Tar Heels have won all 9 games at home this season.
NC State (+180) is a tempting play for a chance to nearly double up, but it’s hard to drop the Tar Heels at the Dean Dome.
PASS.
Against the spread
NC STATE +5.5 (-110) is worth a look here. While North Carolina -5.5 (-110) should get the job done at home, this will be a close game, and could be a one-possession game coming down to the bitter end.
The Wolfpack come with a little concern, as they’re just 4-9 ATS in the past 13 games on the road. just the same, the Heels are 2-5 ATS in the past 7 overall, and 1-4 ATS in the past 5 against teams with an overall winning mark.
Over/Under
OVER 152.5 (-115) is the lean, but go lightly, as the trends for both sides are completely opposite.
For NC State, it’s all about the Under, going 5-1-1 in the past 7 games overall, and 3-0-1 in the past 4 on the road. However, the Over is 5-0 in NC State’s past 5 against winning teams.
For UNC, the Over has cashed in 4 of the past 5 in Chapel Hill, while going 4-1 in the past 5 against winning teams, too.
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