College men’s basketball: NC State vs Oakland, at 7:10 on Saturday
Published 10:05 pm Friday, March 22, 2024
- Oakland's Jack Gohlke celebrates as time runs out in the team's college basketball game against Kentucky in the first round of the men's NCAA Tournament in Pittsburgh, Thursday, March 21, 2024. Oakland won 80-76. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
By The Associated Press
The NC State Wolfpack and Oakland Golden Grizzlies square off in the NCAA Tournament second round. Saturday’s matchup is the first this season between the squads. NC State is 14-11 against the ACC, and Oakland is 18-5 against the Horizon League.
Oakland Golden Grizzlies (24-11, 18-5 Horizon League) vs. NC State Wolfpack (23-14, 14-11 ACC)
Pittsburgh; Saturday, 7:10 p.m. EDT
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Wolfpack -5.5; over/under is 146.5
BOTTOM LINE: NC State and Oakland square off in the NCAA Tournament second round.
The Wolfpack have gone 14-11 against ACC teams, with a 9-3 record in non-conference play. NC State is ninth in the ACC in rebounding with 35.0 rebounds. Mohamed Diarra paces the Wolfpack with 7.6 boards.
The Golden Grizzlies are 18-5 in Horizon League play.
NC State’s average of 7.0 made 3-pointers per game is 1.3 fewer made shots on average than the 8.3 per game Oakland gives up. Oakland has shot at a 44.9% clip from the field this season, 0.7 percentage points higher than the 44.2% shooting opponents of NC State have averaged.
TOP PERFORMERS: Michael O’Connell is averaging 5.5 points for the Wolfpack. D.J. Burns is averaging 13.4 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 56.3% over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Wolfpack: 6-4, averaging 77.8 points, 33.4 rebounds, 12.7 assists, 6.8 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 75.6 points per game.
Golden Grizzlies: 9-1, averaging 77.7 points, 37.4 rebounds, 15.7 assists, 6.7 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 67.9 points.
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