NC State at Pittsburgh 2/17/21 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

The NC State Wolfpack travel on the road to the Petersen Events Center to take on the Pitt Panthers. NC State has lost four of their last five and have lost back-to-back games on their home floor, falling to Syracuse by 9 and then 69-53 to Duke dropping to 8-9 (4-8 conference). Pitt has also lost four of their last five and has dropped two in a row on the road, falling by 7 to Virginia and a 71-65 loss to Georgia Tech dropping to 9-7 (5-6 conference).

NC State has been an average offense in the ACC this season, they’re scoring 73.5 points per game ranking 130th in scoring offense. The Wolfpack come in shooting 46.7% from the field and 35.8% from three, ranking 53rd and 90th respectively. They’ve had their struggles as of late, but the offense has done its part for the most part.

Devon Daniels, the fifth-year senior, has flourished in his last go-around leading the Wolfpack in scoring with 16.5 points on 48.7% shooting. He’s also dishing out a team-high 3.1 assists and is pulling down 5.1 boards per game. Junior forward Jericole Hellems is scoring 13 points per game on 46.8% shooting and is third on the team with 5.2 rebounds per game.

Pitt is one of the most balanced teams in the country, they’re 163rd in scoring offense scoring 72.1 points per game. The Panthers have struggled with efficiency shooting 43.2% from the field and 32.8% from beyond the arc, ranking 221st nationally in both. 

Sophomore Justin Champagnie has been a stud for Pitt, he’s averaging a double-double with 18.7 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. He’s been able to do so efficiently shooting 52.6% from the field, in part due to the distributing ability of Au’Diese Toney who’s dishing out a team-high 6.1 assists and scoring 14.1 points per game.

NC State has had some issues on the defensive end allowing 70.6 points per game ranking 196th in the country in scoring defense. Opponents have shot a blistering 46.5% from the field, 36% from beyond the arc and the Wolfpack are 254th in defensive effective field-goal percentage. NC State is 102nd in KenPom adjusted defense.

Pitt has been a solid defensive team allowing 69.5 points per game ranking 162nd in scoring defense whilst opponents have shot 42.6% from the field. The Panthers are 85th in three-point defense with opponents shooting 31.7% from beyond the arc. Pitt is 82nd in KenPom adjusted defense.