NC State vs Oakland betting odds, predictions, pick and promos
On Saturday, March 23 at 7:10 pm ET, we have No. 11 NC State taking on No. 14 Oakland on TBS and live from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA
These teams arrive at this game coming off wins over Texas Tech and, for Oakland, a win over the No. 3 Kentucky Wildcats.
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NC State (11) vs Oakland (14) betting preview
The Wolfpack came into the NCAA Tournament riding high off of an ACC Championship, and they took down Texas Tech 80-67.
Four NC State players averaged double-digit points, including Ben Middlebrooks (21), DJ Burns Jr. (17), Mohamed Diarra (16), and DJ Horne (16).
Diarra had 12 rebounds, while Horne added five assists and six rebounds. The Wolfpack shot 50.9% from the floor and 38.5% from three. They were +1 in the rebound column.
As for Oakland, this is what the NCAA Tournament is all about. They beat the Kentucky Wildcats 80-76.
Their head coach, Greg Kampe, has been there for 40 years, and this was their first-ever NCAA Tournament win. Jack Gohlke led the way with 32 points but was unconscious from three-point range.
They shot 41.3% from the floor and 48.4% from three-point range. They out-muscled Kentucky in the rebound department by one and committed four fewer turnovers.
Beyond Gohlke, DQ Cole added 12, and Trey Townsend scored 17 points and 12 rebounds.
NC State vs Oakland odds
Below are the odds for this matchup, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Spread: Oakland (+5.5, -112); NC State (-5.5, -108).
- Moneyline: Oakland (+195); NC State (-238).
- Total: Over 146 (-112); Under 146 (-108)
Learn more about betting on the tournament, and get some amazing betting tips to use in the bracket with the NCAA Finals betting and strategy guide.
NC State vs Oakland analysis
The duo of Horne and Burns Jr. has proven to be disruptive as of late with their ACC Conference tournament win and their Round of 64 matchups. I
n that game against Texas Tech, Ben Middlebrooks stepped up massively with 21 points, but he averages just 5.9 points per game. Diarra also added 16 when he’s typically a 6.3 points-per-game player.
Oakland's Gohlke averages 12.8 points per game, but he shoots nearly 38% from three-point range. Obviously, he had a superb shooting performance, but he’s always been a quality shooter from deep.
When you look at the stats, NC State is the better team. They score 114.3 points per 100 possessions and allow 101.4, while Oakland score 108.6 and allows 105.7 in that same statistical framing.
On a points-per-game basis, they’re nearly identical. The same can also be said for shooting percentage. Oakland, however, shoots 36% from deep compared to 34.7%. There is a slight difference, but it is worth mentioning.
As you continue down every statistical category, these teams are extremely close to one another.
NC State vs Oakland pick
Both teams heading into this one are coming off massive wins for their program, and this will be a clash of adrenaline and momentum. As mentioned, statistically, these teams are extremely close to one another.
Oakland has two guys to zero in on in Burns Jr. and Horne, and they’ll aim to do so.
This is bound to be a great game and a close one at that, so we’ll lean toward Oakland +5.5. If they got hot again from three-point range, they could advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
🏀 Bet on Oakland +5.5 at odds -112 with DraftKings 🏀
NC State vs Oakland info
- Who: NC State (11) vs Oakland (14)
- Date: Saturday, March 23
- Time: 7:10 pm ET
- Venue: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA
- Where to watch: TBS
About the author
Richard Janvrin
Richard Janvrin brings nearly a decade of experience covering sports, sports betting, and everything iGaming. Richard received his bachelor's degree in Journalism/English from the University of New Hampshire. Throughout his career, Richard has written for sites like Bleacher Report, Forbes, The Game Day, WSN, Gambling.com, and many more.
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