Pittsburgh at NC State 2/28/21 - NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions

The Pitt Panthers travel on the road to PNC Arena to take on the NC State Wolfpack. Pitt has dropped their last four games, one of those coming to NC State at home 74-73 just over a week ago, following that loss Pitt lost 79-72 to Florida State and dropped to 9-9 (5-8 conference). NC State has rattled off three straight road wins, fresh off a 68-61 win over a ranked Virginia team to improve to 11-9 (7-8 conference).

Pitt has been a solid offense averaging 72.2 points per game ranking 160th in the country in scoring offense. The Panthers haven’t shot it well, coming in 222nd in the nation in field-goal percentage at 43.2% but crash the offensive glass with over 12 per game and turn it over just 12 times per game. 

Justin Champagnie is one of the best players in the ACC and is the undoubted leader of this Pitt team averaging 18.8 points and 11.4 rebounds per game, both leading the conference. He is shooting over 50% from the field and impacts the game on both ends of the floor. Junior point guard Xavier Johnson has been the distributor, dishing out a team-high 5.7 assists and adding 14.2 points per game. 

NC State is also a good offensive unit, although they’re much more efficient than Pitt, averaging 73.5 points per game ranking 123rd in the country in scoring offense. The Wolfpack are shooting 47.3% from the field, 41st in the country, and 36.4% from beyond the arc, 69th nationally. NC State is 61st in KenPom adjusted offense.

The injury to senior Devon Daniels hasn’t done the Wolfpack any favors, he was averaging 16.5 points and 3.1 assists before going down with an ACL injury. In his absence, they've focused on getting it inside to junior forward Jericole Hellems, 13 points and 5 rebounds per game, and senior forward DJ Dunderburk who is averaging 12.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

NC State’s struggles this season have come on the defensive end where they’re giving up 69.8 points per game ranking 168th in the country. Opponents have shot a blistering 45.8% from the field and 34.8% from three, 237th in effective field-goal percentage. The Wolfpack are 88th h in KenPom adjusted defense.

Pitt has also had their issues on the defensive end allowing 70.3 points per game ranking 188th in the country in scoring defense. The Panthers have defended the perimeter well with opponents shooting 31.6% from three and are 90th in KenPom adjusted offense.