Virginia vs NC State Prediction 12-31-24 College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Virginia vs NC State Prediction for this college basketball game on Tuesday, December 31st, at the John Paul Jones Arena. Let’s take a look at a Virginia Cavaliers vs NC State Wolfpack Pick. 

Can NC State Create Enough Offense?

In two of the last three games NC State’s offense hasn’t been all that good, and they are going to need the offense to be better here. Three games ago against Coppin State, NC State scored 66 points and even though they won, it wasn’t the best offensive day. The following game, NC State faced off against Kansas and they ended up losing 75-60. The last game against Rider was much a better game and they scored 89 points on the way to the 25-point victory. Guard Jayden Taylor had a strong game putting up 16 points, two rebounds, and two assists. There were four different players that put up at least 11 points. NC State shot 55.8 percent from the field and 35 percent from behind the three-point line. They shot 34 free throws making 24 of them. 

NC State on the season is averaging 74.7 points while their defense is giving up 64 points per game. The offense is ranked 211th while the defense is ranked 57th. They are averaging 57.2 shot attempts per game which is 275th in the league. Guard Marcus Hill has been the top player averaging 12.6 points while shooting 50.5 percent from the field but only 23.5 percent from behind the three-point line. NC State will meet Wake Forest and Notre Dame after this game. 

Why NC State Will Beat Virginia

• NC State has won each of its last seven games against Conference opponents.
• Virginia has lost the first half in each of its last three day games against Conference opponents.

Disappointing Year for Virginia

It’s not all that shocking that when your head coach retires a few weeks before the season starts, the season might not go exactly according to plan and that has been the case with Virginia. Virginia comes into this game with a 7-5 record and they have gone 4-8 against the spread. Even in the last game against an American team that isn’t good, they only won by five points. The defense was good giving up only 58 points, but the offense only managed 63 points and that led to the defeat. Elijah Sanders had a strong game putting up 21 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. There were three difeffernet players that put up at least 11 points. Virginia shot 46 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from behind the three-point line 

Virginia on the season is averaging 61.6 points while their defense is giving up 61.3 points per game. The offense is ranked 357th in the league while the defense is ranked 11th. As a team, they are shooting 37.9 percent from behind the three-point line which is 41st in the league. Guard Christian Bliss is dealing with a foot injury and has been ruled out for the season. Carter Lang has also decided to take a redshirt year this season. Virginia wants to keep the pace slow, but the offense needs to start being more consistent. If the offense isn’t consistent going forward, this is going to be a very bad season. 

Why Virginia Will Beat NC State

• Virginia has won 34 of its last 35 games at John Paul Jones Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• NC State has lost the first half in eight of its last nine Tuesday games against Conference opponents.

Virginia vs NC State Prediction

This total is too low. In two of the last three games the NC State offense hasn’t been good enough and their offense is going to really struggle to get the offense going here. NC State is averaging 74.7 points per game but they aren’t going to get even close to that number here. Virginia is giving up only 61.3 points per game and their defense is going to step up in a major way here. They will really slow down the pace and that will lead to this game staying under the total. Back the under.