Saturday Afternoon College Hoops Free Pick
NC State and Clemson Head Into a Key ACC Contest
One of the best college basketball games of the day for Saturday involves two unranked teams. NC State (10-3) travels to Clemson (11-1) and the oddsmakers have made the Tigers -10 home favorites. It’s a big number for the 12/30 college basketball free pick, but Clemson has been setting them up and knocking them down over their recent winning streak. Either way, a majority of the bettors are liking the points despite the fact that this is NC State’s first true road game of the year.
Take the Points and Chill?
The public is hammering a 10-3 team getting 10 points in a conference game – and for good reason. The Wolfpack have won five of their last six and have a 90-84 win over Arizona on their resume for the season (as +12.5 ‘dogs). Taking a closer look though, NC State has actually lost three of their last eight games which includes a 60-64 loss to UNI (as -3.5 favorites) and a 76-81 defeat at the hands of UNC-Greensboro (as -8.5 favorites). The last four wins by the Wolfpack have come in such lopsided games that there wasn’t even a spread listed.
So does NC State have what it takes to get a road win in the 12/30 college basketball free pick? Maybe, their offense is 23rd in the country in scoring at 86 points per game and shoot nearly 50% from the field. Allerik Freeman dropped 24 against Arizona and 25 in his last game while Sam Hunt had a ‘body like a back board’ with 20 points off the bench the last outing. Don’t overlook the fact that NC State has the 272nd SOS in the country however.
NC State is a 10-point underdog heading into today’s road game at Clemson.
— Inside Pack Sports (@InsidePackSport) December 30, 2017
When Will Clemson Get Recognition?
Clemson is giving double digits in the 12/30 college basketball free pick but they’ve been on a roll, winning 9 of their last 10 including going 7-0 at home on the year. The Tigers have posted wins over Ohio State, South Carolina, and Florida for their resume and look to gain some legitimacy with the pollsters with another win on Saturday afternoon.
Clemson can shoot the lights out, posting a 50.3 field goal percentage on the year but it’s their defense that is going to decide this matchup with NC State. The Tigers are 20th in the country giving up just 62.7 points per game and have held their opponents to under 40% field goal shooting on the season. Clemson has won their last 4 home games by at least 15 points each and something important to note is that Saturday marks the first true road game for NC State on the season not counting neutral site tournaments.
It’s GAMEDAY, #ClemsonFamily! We open up ACC play against NC State in the @theLJC at 4 pm!#ClemsonGrit???? pic.twitter.com/0ZqHKbV2IY
— Clemson Men’s Basketball (@ClemsonMBB) December 30, 2017
12/30 College Basketball Free Pick – Betting
About 65% of the public is liking NC State getting the points in the 12/30 college basketball free pick. Sure NC State is a 10-win team, but you also have to take into account 1) they haven’t been in a true road game this season and 2) they haven’t exactly faced the toughest competition. When you factor in the weirdness that is a game on New Year’s Eve, Eve afternoon and this contest has the makings of a big Clemson win.
Free Pick: Clemson Tigers -10
