Miami vs NC State Game Preview: Solid ACC Contest
Wolfpack Looking to Break 3-Game Losing Skid
The Miami Hurricanes visit the North Carolina State Wolfpack for what looks to be a decent contest. Both college basketball teams are 5-4 straight-up in Atlantic Coast Conference play. NC State started off 5-1 in conference games, but has lost its last three. The Hurricanes have won their last two games.
There isn’t a big difference in strength of schedule ratings for either team here. According to KenPom, Miami has played the No. 86 schedule in the country. NC State is at No. 92. The Miami vs NC State game preview will look at the college basketball stats and trends for both teams and find the best value wager for tonight. The Wolfpack is favored by 3.5 with a total of 155.
Hurricanes vs Wolfpack 
Day/Time:
Location: PNC Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina
Streaming: Watch Live Sports
‘Canes Can Shoot the Ball
The Miami offense is the strength of the team. The Hurricanes are averaging 81.4 points per game against teams allowing 72 points per game. Miami is hitting 48.9% of its field goals. The Hurricanes are shooting 38.7% from 3-point range and 55.5% from 2-point territory.
Miami is ranked No. 42 in offensive efficiency by KenPom in part because it makes some turnovers and is average on the offensive boards. But from a pure shooting standpoint, the ‘Canes are one of the best teams around. Matthew Cleveland missed last game and is listed questionable for this one. He’s averaging 14.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Miami isn’t anything to get excited about defensively. The Miami Hurricanes are ranked No. 8 in the ACC in defensive efficiency. Miami defends the 3-pointer fairly well, but is pretty average with its inside defense.
The Hurricanes are average when it comes to forcing turnovers and allowing defensive rebounds. Miami does do a solid job of not sending teams to the foul line.
For the season, the Hurricanes are 14-6 and 11-9 against the spread. Miami is 10-10 in totals and 3-6 in totals in conference NCAAB games. The Hurricanes haven’t gotten the same defensive effort on the road as they do at home.
Miami is allowing 78.1 points per game away from home, but is still 3-5 in totals, as team scoring also goes down. The Hurricanes are going to have to steal a couple of victories if they want to get to 20 wins and have a chance to appear on the March Madness bracket. Right now, Miami is shaping up for 19-21 wins.
Wolfpack in Dire Need of Victory
North Carolina State is 13-7 on the season, but will have a tough time reaching 20 victories. The Wolfpack has a tough four-game stretch to finish the season. So these are the types of games NC State can’t afford to lose.
The Wolfpack have gone 8-11-1 against the spread this NCAAB season and 10-8-2 in totals. NC State is 8-2 at home and 5-5 against the spread.
NC State is averaging 75.5 points per game on 43.7% shooting. The Wolfpack takes care of the basketball and are average getting offensive rebounds. North Carolina State isn’t a good shooting team by any means and rank No. 14 in the ACC in both 2-point and 3-point shooting. The team is solid from the foul line, but that’s the team’s offensive highlight.
NC State is a better defensive team. The Wolfpack are holding teams to 43.2% shooting, but do allow a high percentage of 3-pointers. NC State allows 36.2% on 3-pointers in ACC play and 46.4% on 2-pointers. The NC State Wolfpack can force a few turnovers and do a decent job rebounding.
What to Expect
The Miami vs NC State game preview expects the Hurricanes to come out and try to force the pace of the game. Miami has some good athletes and likes to up-tempo when possible.
The opposition has done a fair job of slowing Miami down, taking 18.3 seconds per possession in ACC action. Miami is No. 1 in the conference by taking just 15.9 seconds per possessions.
The NC State Wolfpack is No. 6 in the conference in adjusted pace. NC State doesn’t hold onto the ball too long, but the opposition has slowed it down and takes 18.2 seconds per possession.
Who to Bet On?
The Miami vs NC State game preview has the Wolfpack winning by three points, so there isn’t much value on the side here. Miami is pretty average away from home, while the Wolfpack win, but don’t always cover the number.
The total on the game opened at 151.5 and is now all the way up to 155.5. You can see the logic behind the line move. But that doesn’t mean you have to like it. The Wolfpack are 5-4 in totals in ACC play. The Hurricanes have gone 3-6.
It’s a tough game, but the line move on the total has now shifted the value to the under, so take the under 155 for one of your Tuesday NCAAB picks.
For NCAAB betting news, NCAAB odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
