WASHINGTON — It’s game time for the NC State Wolfpack, holding a record of 21-14 and 13-11 in the ACC, as they face off against the North Carolina Tar Heels, who boast a stellar 27-6 overall and 19-3 in the ACC record.
The showdown is scheduled for Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN.
The Tar Heels are favored to win by 9 points, with the game’s over/under set at 148.5.
At the heart of the excitement is the ACC Championship, where No. 4 North Carolina will clash with NC State.
The Tar Heels have shown dominance in the ACC, with a 19-3 record against conference opponents and an 8-3 mark in non-conference games. A key to their success is their prowess in rebounding, leading the ACC with an average of 41.2 boards per game. Armando Bacot is a significant contributor, averaging 10.1 rebounds for the Tar Heels.
On the other side, the Wolfpack have a respectable 13-11 record in ACC play. They stand out for their offensive rebounding, ranking fourth in the ACC with an average of 9.3 per game, thanks in part to Ben Middlebrooks, who averages 1.9.
When it comes to 3-point shooting, North Carolina averages 7.9 made shots from beyond the arc per game, slightly outpacing the 7.2 per game NC State allows. Conversely, the Wolfpack averages 7.1 made 3-pointers, just a hair more than the Tar Heels allow.
Highlighting the top performers, RJ Davis leads the Tar Heels with an impressive 21.1 points per game and 3.7 rebounds. Bacot has also been a force recently, averaging 13.3 points and 10.3 rebounds over the last 10 games.
For the Wolfpack, DJ Horne is a key player, scoring 16.5 points per game and grabbing 3.2 rebounds. Jayden Taylor has also been hot, averaging 14.5 points and 3.9 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Looking at the last 10 games, the Tar Heels have been on a roll, going 9-1 and averaging 79.0 points, 41.0 rebounds, 14.8 assists, 5.3 steals, and 4.0 blocks per game. Their opponents have averaged 68.6 points.
The Wolfpack, meanwhile, have a 5-5 record in their last 10, averaging 77.8 points, 33.7 rebounds, 12.0 assists, 6.3 steals, and 4.4 blocks per game. Their opponents have scored an average of 77.0 points.
In a previous encounter, UNC and NCSU faced off in the ACC Championship back in 2007, marking a memorable moment in their rivalry.
This exciting matchup promises to be a highlight of the college basketball season, showcasing the talent and competitive spirit of both teams.