The NC State Wolfpack (24-14) and Marquette Golden Eagles (27-9) meet Friday in Sweet 16 action in the NCAA Tournament. Tip-off from the American Airlines Center is slated for 7:09 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s'lines around the NC State vs. Marquette odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The NC State was fitted for Cinderella’s slipper in the 1st 2 rounds, upending No. 6 seed Texas Tech, before fighting No. 14-seed Oakland for the role. The 11th-seeded Wolfpack won 80-67, and covered (+5), against the Red Raiders in the 1st round. It took a little extra work to vanquish the Golden Grizzlies, winning 79-73 in overtime, while Oakland (+6.5) picked up the backdoor cover at most shops on a late bucket in the extra session.
Second-seeded Marquette was in firm control against No. 15 seed Western Kentucky from the jump, winning 87-69 in the 1st round, while covering a 15-point number. In the 2nd round, No. 10 seed Colorado gave the Golden Eagles all they could handle before managing an 81-77 win, just missing the cover by a half-point.
Marquette was No. 8 in the final of the regular season, while NC State was unranked.