The No. 16 Duke Blue Devils will look to continue their recent dominance over the North Carolina State Wolfpack when they meet in a key ACC matchup on Wednesday night. The Blue Devils (11-3, 2-1), who have won eight of the past 11 meetings with NC State, have been strong on defense this season. Duke has held 13 of 14 opponents to below their season average, and held six of them to season lows for points. The Wolfpack (11-4, 1-3), who have won three of four and seven of 10, are 8-1 on their home floor this year.
Tip-off from PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, is set for 7 p.m. ET. Duke leads the all-time series 150-102, including a 48-43 edge in games played at Raleigh. The Blue Devils are 4.5-point favorites in the latest Duke vs. NC State odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 144.5. Before making any NC State vs. Duke picks, check out the college basketball predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. The model enters Week 9 of the season 30-16 on all-top rated college basketball picks, returning more than $800 for $100 players. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Duke vs. NC State and just locked in its picks and CBB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are the college basketball odds and betting lines for NC State vs. Duke:
- Duke vs. North Carolina State spread: Duke -4.5
- Duke vs. North Carolina State over/under: 144.5 points
- Duke vs. North Carolina State money line: Duke -190, NC State +160
- DUKE: The Blue Devils 5-1 against the spread in their last six Wednesday game
- NCST: The over is 6-1 in the Wolfpack’s last seven games following a straight-up loss
- Duke vs. North Carolina State picks: See picks at SportsLine
Featured Game | NC State Wolfpack vs. Duke Blue Devils
Why Duke can cover
Freshman forward Mark Mitchell has started his collegiate career off fast. In 14 starts, he is averaging 9.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He is connecting on 51.5% of his field goals, including 46.2% from 3-point range and 75.9% of his free throws. He has reached double-digit scoring in seven games, including 14 points in an 81-70 loss at Wake Forest on Dec. 20.
Also helping power the Blue Devils is senior center Ryan Young. The transfer from Northwestern is fourth on the team in scoring at 8.1 points per game, and he’s averaging 7.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists. He has made four starts and is coming off a 20-point, 12-rebound performance in the win over Florida State on Saturday. He has recorded two double-doubles this season, including an 11-point, 15-rebound effort against Oregon State on Nov. 24.
Why NC State can cover
Sophomore guard Terquavion Smith is first in the ACC in 3-point field goals (45), and is third in scoring (271 points), steals (27) and assists (79). For the year, he averages 18.1 points, 5.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. The preseason All-ACC first-team selection scored a season-high 33 points against Coppin State on Dec. 6. He is coming off a 21-point, three-rebound and three-assist effort at Clemson on Friday.
Senior guard Jarkel Joiner averages 15.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He is hitting on 45.2% of his shots from the floor, including 35.1% from 3-point range and 77.5% of his free throws. He is 13th in the ACC in scoring and was named the ACC Player of the Week on Nov. 28. Joiner scored 29 points on 11 of 17 field goals, including 5 of 7 3-pointers, in a 94-72 win over Coppin State on Dec. 6.
How to make NC State vs. Duke picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 146 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only get the model’s pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Duke vs. NC State? And which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is 30-16 on its top-rated college basketball picks this season, and find out.
