Wolfpack vs Cavaliers A-10 Tourney Spread/Handicapping
The Wolfpack had a pretty easy time of it in beating Virginia Tech to advance to the next round of the ACC Tournament. Now it is Virginia, a team they lost to earlier during the season setting off a mini-slump.
N.C. State Wolfpack (22-9) vs Virginia Cavaliers (21-10)
Friday March 15
Greensboro Coliseum – Greensboro, NC
2:00PM
Moneyline: No ML currently listed at JustBet
Spread: N.C. State -1.5
O/U: No ML currently listed
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N.C. State
The Cavs exposed the N.C. State as a team that is talented but doesn’t really like to work. It was hardly a surprise but this team is capable of more.
They have failed to live up to expectations thus far but the Tournament could be their chance.
N.C. State prefers a back and forth game that lets their offensive talents shine. They scored 80 points against VT led surprisingly by burly forward Richard Howell with 22.
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As usual C.J. Leslie is the key. He is often the most talented player on the floor but doesn’t always play like it.
When they lost to Virginia previously he was very productive but the rest of the team didn’t back him up. I think they will all be better this time around.
I like the Wolfpack to prevail this time around and I see good value in then at -1.5. The last game was decided by three points in favour of UVA but N.C. State has the talent to potentially run and hide from the Cavs. Some degree of advantage playing in their home state too.
They are most likely in but a little more wouldn’t hurt.
Virginia
I know they play good defense and I know they win but I am just not sold on Virginia as being a good team. They finished tied with the Wolfpack at 11-7 in the ACC but dropped four of their last 7 games. [ad-6571516]
They won the tie-breaker so they avoided playing yesterday but I am not sure it will wind up being an advantage. As usual they will try and control the pace but I am not sure it will be enough.
Even more important to UVA than Leslie is to NCSU is guard Joe Harris, who is averaging 17ppg. In fact after Harris the Cavs have only one player scoring more than 7ppg – forward Akil Mitchell who is going to find it hard with Howell muscling him up. If those players underperform it is hard to see who even has the capacity to step in and get a few buckets.
They all play defense and smart but scoring is important too.
To be fair I think there are rare situations where I will be on the UVA side. After Harris their scoring is super limited and I just don’t trust them to perform on my command so to speak.
Another win over N.C. State would not be a shocker but I can’t see the value against playing on the Cavs side.
Spread Pick: N.C. State -1.5
O/U Pick:
Score Prediction: N.C. State 71 – Virginia 62
