The Wolfpack (24-14) have answered every challenge they’ve faced the last two weekends, and Friday night’s NC State vs Marquette matchup is no different. North Carolina State now carries the bell as the highest seeded team left in March Madness 2024, and have momentum with a seven game win streak.
Marquette (27-9) has had a pretty convenient cruise to the Sweet 16, beating a #15 seed and a #10 seed last weekend. Oddsmakers like the Golden Eagles to continue that run as -7.5 favorites in Dallas.
Why NC State Has Value at +7.5
The Wolfpack have proven that it really doesn’t matter how your regular season goes as long as you get hot in March. NC State lost four straight games to end the year and dropped 10 of their last 14 but went on a roll and won the ACC Tournament for an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
NC State had upset wins over Duke, Virginia, and North Carolina two weekends ago – all NCAA tournament teams – and then dominated #6 Texas Tech 80-67 in their opener last Thursday. The Wolfpack got a break vs. a #14 seed in the round of 32, and held on to a 79-73 OT win over Oakland (who eliminated #3 seed Kentucky).
It doesn’t look great that NC State needed OT to beat #14 Oakland last round, but the Wolfpack had also played five games in five days the weekend before and had a quick turnaround from Thursday to Saturday vs. the Golden Grizzlies. Maybe the biggest reason to like NC State against Marquette is because they’ve had nearly a week of rest.
Why Marquette Has Value at -7.5
Some might say that Marquette’s run to the Sweet 16 is a bit tainted after wins over a #15 Western Kentucky and a #10 Colorado team – but NC State, although they are hot, is still a #11 seed also. The Golden Eagles barely failed to cover the number in an 81-77 win over Colorado in the round of 32, but the Buffaloes had just scored 102 in a win over Florida in the first round.
One big edge Marquette has on Friday is that they’ve finally broken the curse of early round tournament disappointment under Shaka Smart. The Golden Eagles lost to eventual runner-up North Carolina in a first round #9/#8 matchup in 2022, and couldn’t get out of the second round last year even as a #2 seed losing 69-60 to March legend Tom Izzo and Michigan State.
NC State has some guys playing at a high level as D.J Burns had 24 points and 11 rebounds vs Oakland while Mohamed Diarra has four straight games of 12+ rebounds. It’s hard to top Marquette’s Tyler Kolek who is averaging 19.5 points and 11 assists so far this tournament while Kam Jones has put up 23 ppg.
NC State vs Marquette Free Betting Pick
Does the run for the #11 seed Wolfpack end on Friday? NC State got a lot of rest this week and were battle tested during the ACC Tournament with wins over North Carolina and Duke. Marquette has looked solid, but this point spread is too high for a meeting with two power 5 schools.
Free Pick: NC State +7.5
