The Abilene Christian Wildcats and the NC State Wolfpack meet Friday in college basketball action from PNC Arena. Abilene is coming off a nice opener win on the road versus Oklahoma State. As for NC State, they bagged a victory over the Citadel in their first game of the season. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Abilene Christian Wildcats 

The Wildcats weren’t able to live up to the heights of their 2021-22 run last year, going just 13-17 overall with a 7-11 result in Western Athletic Conference games. Abilene Christian finished ahead of just four teams in the standings with that result, and lost to Cal Baptist in the first game of the WAC Tournament. 

Back on Monday in their first outing of the season, the Wildcats pulled off a solid victory over Oklahoma State. Abilene Christian was up 36-25 by the break, and held on for the 64-59 result. Top Wildcats scorer Ali Abdou Dibba put up 15 points with five boards, and Airon Simmons doubled up on 11 points and 11 rebounds. 

NC State Wolfpack 

Over on the Wolfpack side, they’re coming off a 23-11 overall record a season ago. NC State managed a 12-8 run in a competitive ACC, which landed them in sixth place. After a loss to Clemson in the ACC Tournament, the Wolfpack fell to Creighton in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. 

NC State had a home game versus the Citadel on Monday for their first action of the year. The Wolfpack scored 36 points in each half for a 72-59 win. DJ Burns led the team on 16 points with four rebounds, and Michael O’Connell put up 14 points with seven assists. Mohamed Diarra added a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll stick with Abilene Christian in this one. The Wildcats posted an impressive victory in their first matchup of the year over Oklahoma State, shooting 45.6 percent from the floor with 35 rebounds and 13 assists. Abilene Christian coughed up 15 turnovers but also kept the Cowboys cold from 3-point range with just 5-of-23 (21.7 percent) made. 

As for NC State, they played a pretty steady game versus the Citadel in their first outing on Monday. The Wolfpack shot 43.9 percent from the field and recorded 19 assists, but also got out-rebounded 39-38. Game two should be a pretty fun matchup, and I think the Wildcats can stay in range.