North Carolina Tar Heels vs NC State Wolfpack: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC

When: Tuesday, February 5 at 8:00 PM EST

How (TV): ACC Network, Raycom

NC State Wolfpack (Away)

Head Coach: Kevin Keatts {Overall: 16-6 .727 W-L% | Conference: 4-5, 8th in ACC}

The Wolfpack head 45 minutes from campus to Chapel Hill to regroup from their embarrassing 47-24 home loss this past weekend at the hands of Virginia Tech. A loss that could be considered one of the worst in the shot clock era.

The Pack currently hold a 16-5 record overall. Unfortunately their 4-5 conference record leaves them eighth in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings and puts their March Madness aspirations in question.

NC State has been struggling recently, having lost two in a row and three of their last five contests. A win for the Pack would not only even the series between the two rivals, but would put them back on track for solidifying a spot in the NCAA tournament. The Pack will have their work cut out for them, as they sport a 1-5 record this season against ranked teams.

North Carolina Tar Heels (Home)

Head Coach: Roy Williams {Overall: 17-4 .810 W-L% | Conference: 7-1, 2nd in ACC}

The North Carolina Tar Heels look to go for the season sweep against their Raleigh-based rivals after beating the then no. 15 Wolfpack 90-82 at PNC Arena.

The Tar Heels currently sit tied for second in the ACC with their other instate rivals, the Duke Blue Devils, holding a 7-1 conference record. A win would tie them with no. 3 ranked Virginia for the conference lead.

North Carolina has been on a roll of late, having won their last five games. Their most recent victory came on the road this past weekend at Louisville, where they defeated the Cardinals 79-69 to avenge their most recent loss on January 12 where they were beaten badly 83-62.

NC State Wolfpack Roster Notes

The NC State Wolfpack have no roster injuries to note.

North Carolina Tar Heels Roster Notes

F Sterling Manley – 2 Feb 2019 – (Knee) Has missed nine straight games. There is no timetable for his return.

G Leaky Black – 2 Feb 2019 – (Ankle) Missed the last match against Louisville. His listed as questionable for the next match..

Head-to-Head: Torin Dorn (NC State) vs Luke Maye (North Carolina)

Torin Dorn

Guard | 6-5, 210lb (196cm, 95kg) | Vance | Charlotte, NC | Senior

13.8 PPG | 1.4 APG | 6.6 RPG | 1.1 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 1.2 TOV | .477 FG% | .309 3P%

Luke Maye

Forward | 6-8 240lb (203cm, 108kg) | Hough HS | Huntersville, NC | Senior

14.1 PPG | 2.1 APG | 9.7 RPG | 0.6 SPG | 0.5 BPG | 1.9 TOV | .423 FG% | .333 3P%

This matchup features two seniors who both serve as the leaders for their respective squads. Neither player is a lock to be named an All-American, but their presence on the court and in the locker room is crucial to their teamÕs success.

Torin Dorn has been a steady source of offense for the Pack since transferring from UNC Charlotte. Although teammates such as Braxton Beverly and Markell Johnson are capable of getting buckets, Dorn has been more reliable as a scorer – especially compared to Beverly who is coming off a 0-9 effort from three against Virginia Tech. Dorin is also the teams leading rebounder despite there being three players on the Wolfpack who are 6-10 or taller. Their lack of rebounding at the pivot positions could be a bad omen against Carolina.

Coming into this season Luke Maye was a preseason favourite for multiple major awards after having his best season as Junior. His scoring output has decreased, mostly due to the emergence of fellow senior Cameron Johnson, as well as the arrivals of freshmen Coby White and Nassir Little. What hasnÕt changed for Maye is his dominance on the glass. Maye has been a double-double machine and he is a big reason why North Carolina has remained one of the top rebounding teams in the nation.

NC State Wolfpack at North Carolina Tar Heels Predictions and Odds

The odds makers have the North Carolina Tar Heels favoured over the NC State Wolfpack by 11, with an over/under of 110.