An all Carolina Elite Eight matchup sees the Duke Blue Devils take on the NC State Wolfpack for South Region and state college basketball supremacy. A rare third meeting between two ACC rivals is set to decide the South Regions' Final Four squad. These teams' split their games this season, with Duke winning the first meeting by fifteen before NC State upset the Blue Devils in the ACC Tournament.
Dive into my Duke vs NC State same-game parlay:
NCAAB Same-Game Parlay: Duke vs NC State
Pick 1: NC State +7
NC State have been particularly adept at running their opponents off the three-point line of late. In fact, the Wolfpack have held the opposition to under 28% shooting from deep during their eight game winning streak. Plus, they've connected on over 37% of their own threes over the past three games.
Remember, Duke shot just 27.5% from beyond the arc in their two meetings this season. The Blue Devils are unlikely to be able to pull away with the ease in which they dismissed an overmatched James Madison in the round of 32.
Kevin Keatts' squad have the blueprint after defeating the Blue Devils as 11-point dogs in the ACC Tournament. The Wolfpack have covered seven straight games as underdogs of 7-points or more. Look for DJ Burns and co. to turn this game into an old-fashioned brawl and reign in the powerful Duke attack.
Pick 2: UNDER 143 Total Points
Each of this season's Duke vs NC State matchups went UNDER the total. Sportsbooks have instilled this game with a smaller point sum than before, but I still like the UNDER here.
Both Duke and NC State have turned it up a notch defensively since the big dance began. Jon Scheyer's Blue Devils have allowed opponents to convert just 39.3% of attempts in their last three games, while Kevin Keatt's squad are surrendering a made basket on only 36.3% of attempts.
Additionally, neither team surpassed 45% shooting in their first two matchups. Look for NC State to slow the pace, and this game to cash the UNDER with ease.
Pick 3: Jeremy Roach OVER 3.5 Assists
I expect Jeremy Roach to have the ball in his hands a ton in this contest. Jon Scheyer will ensure his most poised playmaker controls the tempo and runs Duke's flamethrowing offensive attack.
With a shot at the Final Four on the line Duke's super senior will be trusted to orchestrate the offense, and keep his younger teammates in line. Look for Roach to play the role of distributor and far exceed his 3.5 assist line.