GAMEDAY: NC State @ Virginia Tech | 7PM | Keys to the Game, Odds & How to Watch

NC State Wolfpack (9-7) vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (7-9)
Time: 7PM EST
TV: ESPNU
Line : NCSU -1.5
Location: Blacksburg, VA

Keys to the Game

This is a pretty tight line for a game that seems like it’d be more lopsided. The biggest thing here is that NC State does a good job of turning teams over and Virginia Tech is very turnover prone.

Virginia Tech PG Brandon Rechsteiner is averaging almost 3 turnovers per game, and last year vs. NC State he had 4 in only 2 minutes of play. He’s going to struggle against NC State’s pressure. In fact, I know I’m a proponent of backing off on defense and packing it in, but against Virginia Tech, NC State should really ratchet up the pressure.

They really don’t have a guard who can dice you up, they are turnover-prone, and their bigs aren’t really all that versatile.

Tobi Lawal is their main scorer at 12ppg. He’s a 6’8 forward from VCU and he’s very athletic. He’ll lay a dunk on anyone, but honestly, that’s really his best attribute. He’s not a good shooter, and while his FG% is an insane 62%, it’s because he just mostly dunks it.

Next is Mylyjael Poteat, who we’ve seen before. He’s a 6’9 senior who is averaging 11 ppg. He’s big, strong, but really shouldn’t be a tough guard for Ben Middlebrooks.

As for the guards, it’s sophomore Jaden Schutt at 6’5, averaging 7.7 ppg He’s not super quick and not a great creator with the ball, but he’s a pretty good long-range shooter who you don’t want to leave open.

Then it’s 6’7 Ben Burnham who is averaging 7.5 ppg and has a nice 3-pointer, but he’s struggled against decent competition this season.

After that, they have PG Brandon Rechsteiner who is 6’1, turnover-prone, and shoots only 29% from long range.

Virginia Tech has a bunch of one-dimensional guys and nobody that creates a scary mismatch for the Pack.

That said, NC State is full of one-dimensional guys too, and if they continue to run out the lineups they’ve been running out, then maybe that -1.5 line isn’t so crazy. However, if we start seeing a little bit more of Marcus Hill running the offense, and we see more Diouf and Dennis Parker Jr, then I think NC State can overwhelm VT pretty quickly.