Published Feb 16, 6:35pm ET by
Demilade Adelekun - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Feb 16, 6:35pm ET
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Updated Feb 16, 7:46pm ET
UNC travels to Raleigh to face NC State for an interstate rivalry game. Both teams are seeking a win after dropping games to Miami in the previous week.
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| NC State Wolfpack | -220 |
| North Carolina Tar Heels | +260 |
North Carolina is 20‑5 overall and the 16th-ranked team in the nation. UNC's star freshman Caleb Wilson was recently ruled out with a fractured hand sustained against Miami. The Tar Heels will need to find ways to do without his production.
In their first game without Wilson and his fellow front-court partner, Henry Veesaar, the Heels were able to pull out a victory against Pitt, due to big games from Stevenson and Trimble. These two will have to duplicate this effort against their home state rivals to get the win.
NC State is 18‑7 overall and 9‑3 in ACC Play. After dropping their last two games, one in blowout fashion and the other a nail-biter, a win is a must in this outing.
A major storyline going into this game is the return of former UNC standout Ven-Allen Lubin. He averaged 8 points and 6 rebounds for UNC before deciding to make the move to the Wolfpack. Since transferring, he has upped those averages to nearly 14 points and 7 rebounds a game. Can he have a big night against his former school?
UNC vs. NC State is an old-school rivalry dating back over a century. Though UNC is ranked higher, the injury bug will be crucial. NC State has been one of the better teams in the ACC, and with Wilson out and Veesar questionable, NC State has the edge. Our pick is the NC State money line(-220).
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Pick
NC State money line(-220)
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