Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs North Carolina State Wolfpack NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/8/25
Betting on today’s Fighting Irish and Wolfpack game? Catch the action at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC, as the Wolfpack hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPNU. This Atlantic Coast conference matchup has an over/under of 138.5 points, and North Carolina State is favored to win by -2.5 at home vs. Notre Dame.
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH VS NORTH CAROLINA STATE WOLFPACK BETTING PICK
The Pick: North Carolina State Wolfpack -2.5
This game will be played at Lenovo Center at 7:00 ET on Wednesday, January 8th.
WHY BET THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE WOLFPACK:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-69 in favor of the Wolfpack.
- Not only will North Carolina State pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -2.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 138.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 146 points.
Is A Road Victory Likely for Underdog Notre Dame?
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Recent Game/Games
Notre Dame dropped to 7-7 on the season after a narrow 74-73 loss to North Carolina on Saturday. The Irish, who were +4 point underdogs, covered the spread in the loss. The combined points of 147 fell short of the 155.5 O/U line.
Notre Dame trailed 39-32 at halftime but outscored North Carolina 41-35 in the 2nd half. Despite the strong finish, they couldn’t complete the comeback.
Notre Dame put up 73 points in their last game, shooting 43.9% from the field and 30.4% from beyond the arc, hitting 7 of 23 three-point attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 49.1%, and they connected on 76.2% of their free throws, going 16 for 21 from the line.
Ian Jackson led the way with 27 points and 6 rebounds, shooting 61.1% overall, though he struggled from three, hitting just 2 of 7 attempts. Markus Burton added 23 points in 23 minutes, while Braeden Shrewsberry contributed 16 points, knocking down 4 threes on 11 attempts.
Notre Dame’s defense gave up 74 points, with the opposing team shooting 43% from the field. They allowed 18 two-point field goals on 34 attempts, a 52% shooting rate.
From beyond the arc, Notre Dame’s defense held the other team to 30% shooting, as they made 7 of 23 three-point attempts. The opposing team also went 16/21 from the free-throw line, a 76% rate, and Notre Dame gave up 12 offensive rebounds.
Can the Wolfpack Please their Home Crowd?
North Carolina State fell to 8-6 on the season after a 77-59 road loss to Wake Forest on Saturday. The Wolfpack entered the game as +5.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 136 fell just under the O/U line of 137.5.
NC State trailed 38-32 at halftime and struggled in the second half, scoring only 27 points while allowing 39.
NC State managed just 59 points in their last game, shooting 40% from the field and 30.8% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 44%, and they hit 71.4% of their free throws, going 15-for-21 from the line.
Hunter Sallis led the way with 20 points, shooting 57.1% overall and 50% from three. Juke Harris added 17 points on 75% shooting, while Tre’Von Spillers contributed 12 points, hitting 6 of 7 shots.
North Carolina State’s defense struggled, giving up 77 points while allowing the opposition to shoot 54% from the field. They were particularly vulnerable inside, where they allowed 62% shooting on two-point attempts.
From beyond the arc, NC State’s defense conceded 6 threes on 16 attempts, a 37% success rate. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 19 times, where they converted 15 free throws, shooting 78%.