NCAA Basketball BETTING PREVIEW - NC State Wolfpack @ Marquette Golden Eagles

NCAA Basketball

2024-03-29 - NC State Wolfpack at Marquette Golden Eagles

A Sports Betting Preview by FirstDown

Marquette Golden Eagles vs NC State Wolfpack
United States : NCAA Basketball Tournament Sweet 16
Friday 29th March 2024 - Scheduled 7:09pm
11:09pm (British Time)

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Preview

They entered the ACC Tournament with very little hope of earning a spot in the NCAA Championship Bracket, but the NC State Wolfpack (24-14) have found their rhythm at a perfect time. Despite entering the ACC Tournament early on, the Wolfpack rolled through the competition and won five games in a row to be crowned Champions.

That run included beating the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Championship Game, which is very impressive considering the Tar Heels are a Number 1 Seed in the NCAA Tournament and also through to the Sweet 16. The Wolfpack have rode the momentum picked up prior to March Madness beginning and wins over the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Oakland Golden Grizzlies will have given the NC State players a lot of belief.

Fans are back behind them, but the players are only focusing on what they always believed about themselves and they are adamant that this run to the Sweet 16 is no surprise.

You have to believe the Wolfpack are going to be motivated by being set as a considerable underdog, despite winning seven games in a row, but they will also appreciate that this is another step up in level of competition compared with the last two Rounds.

The adjusted numbers certainly suggest the NC State Wolfpack are the weakest team left in the NCAA Tournament, but their momentum has to be given ample respect.

The Marquette Golden Eagles (27-9) have won five of their last six games with the sole exception being a blowout defeat to the Connecticut Huskies, who look the clear favourite to retain the Championship.

Other losses to the Creighton Bluejays may show there is a ceiling for this Golden Eagles team, but they have played well Offensively in the last couple of games and that will give them the edge.

It may be the Golden Eagles who can make a few more stops Defensively and they have the talent to take the game to the NC State Wolfpack.

Opposing a team that is clearly playing with momentum and confidence is never an easy choice, but the Wolfpack have not looked like a team that can sustain current levels and the break between the Second Round and Sweet 16 may just have suited the Golden Eagles who are looking healthy.

Moving much further into the NCAA Tournament after the Sweet 16 Round may be beyond Marquette, but they can at least give themselves a chance by earning a place in the Elite Eight with a win and cover.

Prediction

Lay the points with the Number 2 Seed and favourite in this Sweet 16 game played in Dallas.

The Pick :

Marquette Golden Eagles 76-67 NC State Wolfpack

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Marquette Golden Eagles - 6.5 Points at -110 with EveryGame Sportsbook