North Carolina vs NC State Odds, Picks and Predictions: Bacot Bullies the Wolfpack

The last two unbeaten teams left in ACC play meet Wednesday night when the No. 7 North Carolina Tar Heels collide with the NC State Wolfpack.

UNC is coming off back-to-back conference wins on the road at Pitt and Clemson. Ditto NC State, who ripped off four straight wins, the last two against ACC rivals: at home over Virginia and on the road vs Notre Dame. 

Yet, the Wolfpack are pegged as four-point home dogs in the college basketball odds.

Let’s break down this in-state matchup and check my free college basketball picks for UNC vs NC State on January 10.

North Carolina vs NC State best odds

North Carolina vs NC State picks and predictions

An 11.5 rebounding line for a player could be daunting, but forward Armando Bacot checks all the boxes to get over this lofty total. The 6-foot-11 senior is fifth in the nation in rebounding and first in the ACC — pulling down 11.1 boards per game — and he’s been impactful on the glass in conference play.

Bacot was a beast last time out in a rock fight with Clemson, finishing with 14 points and 16 rebounds. That followed a 16-point, 10-rebound effort in a 70-57 win over the Pitt Panthers. Bacot has grabbed double-digit rebounds in every ACC game so far. 

He’s been dominant in recent games against NC State as well. Last season, Bacot had 14 boards in a 77-69 loss on February 2 after grabbing 18 rebounds in an 80-69 win on January 21.

Rebounding isn’t exactly the Wolfpack's strength: they’re ranked 273rd in rebounding in college basketball, while North Carolina — powered by Bacot — is ranked 40th.

My best bet: Armando Bacot Over 11.5 rebounds (-110 at DraftKings)

North Carolina vs NC State same-game parlay

Armando Bacot Over 11.5 rebounds

Jayden Taylor Over 12.5 points 

North Carolina -4

33% boost available

+575 +765 at DraftKings

With Bacot in the fold, there’s a reasonable scoring line set for Wolfpack guard Jayden Taylor. The junior transfer from Butler has averaged 12.6 points per game over his last 10, and the books have set his scoring total at 12.5 points.

So far, he’s been holding his own in his first foray into ACC play.

Last game — a 76-60 win over the Virginia Cavaliers — Taylor scored 15 points on 4-for-9 shooting, hitting a couple of three balls and all five of his free throws. A likely matchup with the conference’s leading scorer RJ Davis should bring out the best in Taylor, and he'll be set up nicely to top his total.

Despite the Wolfpack winning and covering the last meeting, UNC has dominated this head-to-head, winning eight of the last 10 while going 8-2-0 against the spread.

The Tar Heels have covered their last four to move to 8-6-0 ATS on the season, while NC State has failed to cover two of its last three. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

North Carolina vs NC State spread and Over/Under analysis

The shortest the spread has been for this matchup has been 3.5 points — which you’re still able to find — but most other sites have been bumped up to Tar Heels -4 with the highest at -4.5. Both teams have gone 2-1-0 ATS in ACC play so far this season.

The total has stayed consistently around the 154.5-point range and has gone as high as 155.5. 

Both teams have winning Over records: North Carolina has seen the Over go 8-6-0 in its games, while the Wolfpack’s Over mark is 8-5-1. 

North Carolina vs NC State betting trend to know

North Carolina is 8-6 ATS this season. Find more college basketball betting trends for North Carolina vs. NC State.

North Carolina vs NC State game info

North Carolina vs NC State key injuries

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