NC State Wolfpack vs Marquette Golden Eagles, Picks, NCAA Tourney, Sweet 16

Game Information

• Game: NC State Wolfpack (24-14) vs Marquette Golden Eagles (27-9)
• Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas
• Date/Time: March 29, 7:09 p.m. ET
• NC State vs Marquette Live Stream: TBS.com

After falling in the Big East Championship Game to UConn, Marquette has picked up some steam in the NCAA Tournament with a convincing win against Western Kentucky before sweating one out against Colorado. The return of star guard Tyler Kolek has injected more life into the Golden Eagles, being a difference-maker against Colorado with 21 points and 11 assists in 40 minutes.

NC State vs Marquette Odds and Spreads

Betting Trends

• The Wolfpack are 6-0 ATS in their last six neutral site games as an underdog.
• The Wolfpack are 5-0 ATS in their last five games as an underdog.
• The Golden Eagles are 0-5-1 ATS in their last six NCAA Tournament games as a favorite of ½ to 6 ½ points.
• The Wolfpack are 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall.
• The Golden Eagles are 4-2 ATS in their last six games overall.
• The under is 10-2 in the Golden Eagles’ last 12 neutral site games as a favorite.

ATS Pick: NC State +6.5

The fact NC State made it this far is remarkable. After losing its final four regular season contests, the Wolfpack went on a run in Washington D.C., beating three other tournament teams along the way to winning the ACC title. They have gone on to convincingly beat Texas Tech before a gritty overtime win against a fellow March darling in Oakland.

Along the way, the nation has fallen in love with big man DJ Burns. The 6-foot-9, 275-pounder has reached double figures in each outing in the Wolfpack’s seven-game winning streak, highlighted by 24 points against Oakland on 75-percent shooting. Something you will need to keep in mind while making your NCAAB picks and a key to the Wolfpack pulling off the upset is the inconsistency and inefficiency of leading scorer DJ Horne, who shot 36.4 percent from the field against Oakland.

Over the last seven games, DJ Burns Jr. is averaging 16.4 points and 4.6 rebounds. The NC State star combined for 40 in the first two NCAA Tournament wins and has just wrecked havoc in the frontcourt. Up next: a total opposite in style, Oso Ighodaro. Can’t wait to see them meet.

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 26, 2024

While we believe Marquette will win the game, as Kolek, Kam Jones and Oso Ighodaro will be too much for the Wolfpack to handle on defense, we at least expect the Wolf Pack to maintain pace in an offensive showdown and barely stay within the confines of the college basketball spread.

Player Prop Pick: Tyler Kolek 9+ Assists (+104)

Kolek’s 11 assists against Colorado is the second time reaching that mark in the NCAA Tournament, and the fourth time he’s exceeded double-digits in his last five outings. While Kolek spends nearly every minute on the floor, it’s backcourt mate Kam Jones that has the hot hand and leads the team in scoring on the season. Marquette does not share the ball particularly well, with only seven total assists against Colorado coming from players not named Kolek. We think Kolek will continue to spearhead the offense and feed his teammates, likely resulting in another double-double.

Prediction

Marquette 80, NC State 75

Questions Of The Day