One Cinderella’s party will keep rolling onto the Sweet 16 when No. 11 North Carolina State meets 14th-seeded Oakland in the South Region’s second round matchup Saturday in Pittsburgh.
The Golden Grizzlies scored the biggest upset Thursday when they knocked off third-seeded Kentucky, 80-76, for their first NCAA Tournament win which sent shockwaves across the college-basketball landscape. Oakland has now won five straight and 18 of its past 21 games.
The Wolfpack are also red-hot, riding a six-game win streak that includes their 80-67 win over Texas Tech on Thursday night. NC State has not advanced to the tournament’s second weekend since 2015.
Here’s a look at what should be a super-fun game between NC State and Oakland with picks, odds and the best March Madness NC sportsbook promos to take advantage of.
North Carolina State vs Oakland Odds & Details
- Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024
- Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
- Location: PPG Paints Arena; Pittsburgh, PA
- Spread: North Carolina State -5.5 (-120, FanDuel), Oakland +6.5 (-120, BetMGM)
- Moneyline: NC State (-245, FanDuel), Oakland (+220, BetMGM)
- Total: Over 146 (-110, bet365) / Under 146.5 (-105, FanDuel)
NC State vs Oakland Betting Preview
The Golden Grizzlies got hot Thursday, shooting 48% from 3-point range on the back of sharp-shooting guard Jack Gohlke’s 10 3-pointers. But can Oakland’s lightning strike twice?
Oakland is averaging 80 points per game over its past 21, which is large enough of a sample to count it as a great scoring team. The Wolfpack are allowing 75-plus points per game, which is enough to make me worry about their ability to slow the hot-shooting Golden Grizzlies.
Oakland has just four double-digit losses this season, against three teams (Illinois, Dayton, Michigan State) that are still playing. But does it have the size to match up against bruising NC State big man D.J. Burns, who has been a breakout star in the Pack’s Cinderella run through the ACC and now NCAA Tournament.
The Wolfpack have a top-50 offense and a passable defense per KenPom. The offense has come alive on this run too, scoring 73-plus in every game and at least 80 points in three of the five.
This should be a fun, high-scoring game, which is why I’ll pick Over 146.5 points and Oakland to cover the 6.5-point spread.
PREDICTION: NC State wins 82-77
ATS: Oakland +6.5 (-108)
O/U: Over 146.5 (-105)
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