New York Yankees
Kansas City Royals
Los Angeles Dodgers
Creighton vs NC State Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds and Picks
NC State Survived as Bubble Team, Gets Chance to Make Statement
Teams Have Lot To Prove
If you were following the college basketball news this past week, you know that NC State and Creighton have had their critics. Both are in the fundamental position of wanting to punch back at the naysayers who think they are overrated.
That being the case, which is the best bet when they meet in the first round of the NCAA Tournament? Let’s take a closer look.
NC State Faces Matchup Problem
The North Carolina State Wolfpack lost three times to Clemson this season, failing to deal with the Tigers’ size and length in the paint. Creighton’s strength is its size and length in the paint with center Ryan Kalkbrenner.
Those who bet online have to carefully weigh that when making their decision here. We know that North Carolina State big man D.J. Burns faces a very difficult matchup.
He has to at least break even in that matchup – if not win it – in order for NC State to feel good about its chances.
The Wolfpack were viewed as one of the last four teams in the NCAA Tournament field by a lot of bracketologists and college basketball lines handicappers in the days before the Selection Show.
Some analysts felt NC State would have to play in the First Four in Dayton, Ohio, but the Wolfpack avoided that fate. The selection committee treated them well.
Now they need to show that the committee’s decision was a good one. NC State played in an Atlantic Coast Conference which had a down year this year.
North Carolina didn’t make the NCAA Tournament and Duke is merely a No. 5 seed. No team from the conference was seeded higher than No. 4 (Virginia).
NC State will hear that “the ACC wasn’t very good” and the Wolfpack will want to prove that actually, the ACC is very good and knows how to get the job done in March.
Remember, not many thought much of North Carolina at this time last year when it was seeded No. 8 but went all the way to the national championship game. If you’re placing your future sports bets, don’t bank on NC State going all the way.
The point here is that maybe the criticism is too harsh and because of that, they might be a touch underrated.
NC State is going dancing! The Wolfpack will be the 11 seed in the South Region playing against 6 seed Creighton! #WPN #GoPack pic.twitter.com/CN8AZvsDhy
— Pack Report (@Pack_Report) March 12, 2023
Was Creighton’s 6-Game Losing Streak an Aberration?
The Creighton Bluejays lost six games in a row in the early part of their season. However, that losing skid was the product of center Ryan Kalkbrenner being ill.
With a healthy and fully active Kalkbrenner on the floor, Creighton was a very strong team this season. Remember, they were a No. 6 seed in spite of that losing skid.
Without that six-game losing binge, the Bluejays might have been a No. 3 seed. Kalkbrenner is Creighton’s best player.
If he is on top of his game and is doing the things he is expected to do on the court, Creighton becomes a very hard team to beat.
Creighton vs NC State Game Injuries
Creighton vs NC State Head-to-Head
These schools last met in 2016. Creighton won, 112-94. The all-time series is tied, 1-1.
Creighton vs NC State Game Information
- Game: NC State (23-10) vs Creighton (21-12)
- Location: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado
- Day/Time: Friday, Mar 17, 4th p.m. ET
- Creighton vs NC State Live stream: TBS.com
Creighton vs NC State Betting Lines
Creighton vs NC State Picks and Prediction
NC State struggles with opponents who have size and length on defense. That’s what Clemson had, and that’s what Creighton has. It’s a big reason why they’re a dog in the sportsbook.
It’s just not a good matchup for NC State. Creighton should win by about eight, so take them with your college basketball picks.
Creighton is listed at -235 in our Vegas lines. So, if you wager $100 on the Bluejays, there’s a chance to win $43. NC State is +195 with a chance to win $195 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives the Wolfpack a 33.90% chance to win, with the Bluejays at 70.15%
