Bisons vs. Wolfpack Prediction
The second-seeded North Carolina State Wolfpack will host the fifth-seeded Lipscomb Bisons tonight in the NIT quarterfinals. Is NC State going to protect its home court or will Lipscomb pull off the small upset?
Game Snapshot
625 Lipscomb Bisons at 626 North Carolina State Wolfpack
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Reynolds Coliseum at 9PM ET
TV: ESPNU
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Wolfpack are a 5-point favorite on the spread line. The total sits at 163 points. As of Wednesday morning, 66 percent of public bets are siding with host North Carolina State. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for up-to-date information.
Bisons race past Spartans
Lipscomb earned an 86-69 victory at UNC-Greensboro Saturday in the second round of the NIT Tournament to improve to 27-7 on the season. The Bisons led 43-35 at halftime and continued to pull away after the break. Lipscomb shot 32-of-61 from the field, 8-of-22 from 3-point distance plus 14-of-18 at the free throw line. Rob Marberry led the Bisons with 24 points on 12-of-13 shooting. He also tallied four rebounds and three assists. Garrison Mathews accounted for 23 points plus 11 boards and four assists. Kenny Cooper added 11 points, six assists and two rebounds.
Wolfpack hold off Crimson
North Carolina State edged visiting Harvard 78-77 as it forced a turnover in the closing seconds to clinch the victory. The Wolfpack (24-11) outscored the Crimson 40-38 in the second half of a contest that was close throughout. North Carolina State shot 26-of-65 from the field, 8-of-27 from 3-point land plus 18-of-27 at the free throw line. C.J. Bryce paced the Wolfpack with 16 points on 6-of-12 including 4-of-5 at the free throw line. He also pulled down seven rebounds. Devon Daniels contributed 14 points and five boards off the bench. Markell Johnson accounted for 13 points, five assists, two caroms and two steals. Torin Dorn had 10 points and eight rebounds. Braxton Beverly added 10 points over 29 minutes of action.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Lipscomb
The Bisons are 20-7-1 ATS in their last 28 non-conference games. Lipscomb is 27-10-1 ATS in its last 38 road games.
North Carolina State
The Wolfpack are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games following a straight up win. The under is 6-1 in the last seven NC State games overall.
Prediction:
Lipscomb only has one loss against a subpar opponent this season, that being a 67-61 defeat at Florida Gulf Coast on February 20. The Bisons’ other losses are against Belmont (twice), Louisville, Clemson and Liberty (twice). The Bisons have also defeated the likes of TCU, Vermont and Liberty. Needless to say, this is a strong Lipscomb team that shouldn’t be discounted because its not a big-name program. The Bisons are the more efficient team on the defensive end in tonight’s matchup, while their offense more than holds their own. I’m not sold on NC State in this tournament after a couple close wins against opponents lesser than Lipscomb. Go with the Bisons to advance to the semifinals.
NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: LIPSCOMB BISONS +3.5