Duke Hosts Struggling NC State in ACC Basketball Showdown

DURHAM, N.C. — The No. 20 Duke Blue Devils (17-2, 9-0 ACC) will face the struggling NC State Wolfpack (9-10, 2-6 ACC) in an Atlantic Coast Conference basketball matchup Monday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, with the game airing on ESPN.

NC State enters the game on a five-game losing streak, including a 63-57 loss to SMU on Saturday. The Wolfpack has struggled both straight up and against the spread (ATS), going 1-6 in both categories since Dec. 31. Meanwhile, Duke narrowly avoided an upset against Wake Forest on Saturday, rallying late to secure a 63-56 victory despite shooting a season-low 36.8% from the field.

Duke, riding a 13-game winning streak, has dominated ACC play this season. The Blue Devils have averaged 86.8 points per game in their last four matchups against teams outside the top 100 in efficiency ratings, while holding opponents to just 59.5 points per game. NC State, ranked No. 106 in BartTorvik’s efficiency ratings, faces an uphill battle against Duke’s high-powered offense and strong rebounding.

According to betting odds, Duke is favored by 21.5 points (-115). NC State has struggled as an underdog, going 0-4 ATS when tabbed as a 5-plus-point underdog and 0-6 ATS in road or neutral-site games this season. The total for the game is set at 134.5 points, with a slight lean toward the over given Duke’s efficient offense and ability to score from beyond the arc.

“Duke’s rim-and-3 game is going to be tough for NC State to handle,” said a sports analyst. “The Blue Devils are much better on the boards, and after their close call against Wake Forest, they’ll likely come out focused and engaged.”

NC State’s slow-paced offense, ranked in the bottom third nationally, will aim to control the tempo. However, Duke has shown the ability to overcome slow-paced opponents, as seen in their games against Notre Dame and Virginia Tech, both of which hit the over on the total points line.

Online sports betting is now live in North Carolina, adding another layer of interest to the matchup. For more sports betting insights and tips, visit SportsbookWire.