Pittsburgh vs NC State 2/12/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The NC State Wolfpack will travel to the Petersen Events Center to take on the Pittsburgh Panthers this Saturday afternoon in College Basketball action.

The NC State Wolfpack lost their 5^th straight game and dropped to 10-15 on the season after being defeated by the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 69-51, this past Wednesday. NC State struggled on both ends of the court against Wake Forest and the Demon Deacons were able to pull away later after closing out the final 5:19 of regulation on a 16-0 run. NC State shot just 32.2% from the field & 13.6% from beyond the arc while allowing Wake Forest to shoot 54.0% from the field & 45.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Wolfpack was Dereon Seabron who had 22 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, & 1 steal.

On the season, NC State is averaging 73.6 ppg on 41.8% shooting from the field. The Wolfpack are averaging 8.1 three-pointers per game on 33.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, NC State has been led by Dereon Seabron (18.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.5 spg), Terquavion Smith (15.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.4 spg), Jericole Hellems (13.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.2 spg), & Casey Morsell (7.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg).

Defensively, NC State is allowing their opponents to average 75.0 ppg on 41.8% shooting from the field. The Wolfpack have a rebound margin of -1.4 and a turnover margin of 2.9.

The Pittsburgh Panthers snapped a 4-game losing streak and improved to 9-16 on the season after defeating the Florida State Seminoles, 56-51, this past Wednesday. Pittsburgh was outstanding defensively against Florida State and was able to pull away late in the 2^nd half for victory after taking a 46-41 lead with 3:19 left in regulation. Pittsburgh shot 33.0% from the field & 32.0% from beyond the arc while holding Florida State to just 28.6% from the field & 29.2% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Panthers was Ithiel Horton who had 25 points & 5 rebounds.

On the season, Pittsburgh is averaging 61.6 ppg on 41.1% shooting from the field. The Panthers are averaging 5.5 three-pointers per game on 32.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Pittsburgh has been led by John Hugley (13.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.2 spg), Jamarius Burton (12.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.0 bpg), Femi Odukale (12.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.0 spg), & Ithiel Horton (9.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.3 spg).

Defensively, Pittsburgh is allowing their opponents to average 66.4 ppg on 42.5% shooting from the field. The Panthers have a rebound margin of 2.8 and a turnover margin of -2.8.

The Wolfpack are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games following three or more consecutive home games & 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. The Panthers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record, however, are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win.

NC State continues to struggle in ACC play as they come into this game ranked last in the ACC with an 3-11 conference record and have been awful defensively this season as they currently rank just 310^th in scoring defense & 335^th in defensive FG%. Pittsburgh is coming off one of their most impressive victories of the season at Florida State and between the fact that Pittsburgh has been solid at home and that their defense, which ranks 105^th in scoring defense, will be able to slow down the NC State offense, I think Pittsburgh does enough in this one to cover this small spread. Good Luck!