2014 NCAA Tournament – Play In Game Pick
The Wolfpack got here because they have demonstrated not just an ability to beat good teams, but to do so outside their home arena. [ad-4468020]
N.C. State Wolfpack (21-13) vs. Xavier Musketeers (21-12)
Tuesday March 18
University of Dayton Arena – Dayton, OH
9:20PM
Moneyline: Xavier -125, N.C. State +105
Spread: Xavier -1
Total: 142
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ATS Matchup Insight | CP Insider Gambling Preview
N.C. State
This team is probably not as talented as the squad they have had the last couple of years but it is more of a team and if you are in a close game there is probably no better player to have on your team than T.J. Warren, whose production has exploded this season with a less crowded frontcourt.
If not for Doug McDermott Warren might be national player of the year. He averages 24ppg and has has just one game below 13 points all season.
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Get this, you have to go all the way back to January to find a game where he didn’t score 20 points or more – and he is efficient too.
The real question is whether the rest of the team will step forward so we can enjoy him more than once.
They did not win the ACC Tournament but N.C. State did cover all of their games giving them a 3-0 neutral site ATS record.
However, considering those games were in their home state you could make an argument as to just how neutral those sites were. This time the shoe will be on the other foot so to speak.
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Xavier
The Musketeers finished 4th in the new Big East this season, ahead of teams like Georgetown, Butler and Marquette.
This is a hard nosed team that had no trouble adapting to the physical style a lot of the teams in the league play and could have an advantage with the site of this game being less than an hour from campus.
They have never met the Wolfpack before.
Guard Semaj Christon is a very good player and the type that could carry this team to some good success. More scorer than shooter he will have to have a good game for the Musketeers to advance. Also, center Matt Stainbrook will need to be a presence in the paint. He is a legit center and has some skill.
If he makes a contribution this team becomes much more difficult to beat.
Xavier did all of their damage against the number at home, where they were 11-5 ATS. They should definitely have the crowd behind them in this one and with such a short number they are a solid bet.
The only thing that worries me if their poor foul shooting.
Thankfully Dee Davis, who handles it the most, is an 84% FT shooter.
Spread prediction: Xavier -1
Total prediction: Under
Score prediction: Xavier 70 – N.C. State 65
