Kansas vs NC State Predictions & Odds (Nov. 23)
- #3 Kansas is laying 8.5-points to NC State in the Kansas vs NC State odds on Wednesday at the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament in the Bahamas
- Both teams enter play undefeated, with the Jayhawks already posting a win over Duke
- The complete Kansas vs NC State odds are listed below, along with analysis and a bet to target
Eight college hoops programs have touched down in the Caribbean this week for the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament in the Bahamas. The #3 Kansas Jayhawks are the Belle of the Ball among the group, and will headline the first day of play on Wednesday against NC State.
Both schools are without a blemish so far on their 2022-23 resumes, and online sportsbooks expect the Jayhawks’ perfect run to continue in the college basketball odds.
Kansas vs NC State Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas Jayhawks | -8.5 (-110) | -390 | O 150.5 (-110) |
| NC State Wolfpack | +8.5 (-110) | +320 | U 150.5 (-110) |
Odds as of November 22 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Claim the DraftKings Sportsbook promo code to bet on the Kansas vs NC State game.
Kansas opened up as 8.5-point favorites, in a contest that features a total of 150.5. Tip-off is set for Noon ET at the Imperial Arena in Nassau, Bahamas, with ESPN providing the broadcast coverage.
Kansas Jayhawks Betting Analysis
The Jayhawks enter play this week as a top-four contender in the National Championship odds. They’re one game removed from an upset victory over Duke on a neutral court, and have posted three additional wins, two by 23+ points.
Last time out, they suffered a major letdown after knocking off the Blue Devils, but still managed to gut out a 82-76 victory over Southern Utah. Jalen Wilson scored a career-high 33 points for the defending champions, while Gradey Dick poured in 18.
Kind of wild to me that Jalen Wilson didn’t get Big 12 Player of the Week.
Jalen’s 2 games (2-0):
29 PPG | 8.5 RPG | 4.5 APGWinner LJ Cryer’s 2 games (1-1):
23.5 PPG | 2 RPG | 2.5 APG pic.twitter.com/Y1yMgsJlYo— Kansas Jayhawk Fans (@FansOfKU) November 21, 2022
Kansas shot 51% from the field and 40% from three, but got to the line just 16 times and grabbed only six offensive boards. If there’s a concern for the offense, is that they’re relying too much on Wilson and Dick. The duo accounted for 62% of the Jayhawks points, and are the only two Kansas players who average in double-figures.
At the other end of the court, the Thunderbirds dominated on the glass, grabbing 14 offensive boards which led to plenty of second chance opportunities.
The Jayhawks held Southern Utah to a 38% field goal percentage, as they continued the trend of being tough on enemy shooters. Kansas ranks 32nd in opponent field goal percentage, are are 35th at defending the three.
NC State Betting Analysis
NC State meanwhile, boasts a 4-0 record of their own. The difference between them and Kansas is that the Wolfpack have played nobody. They’ve yet to face a team ranked inside the top-172, yet their average margin of victory in two of the four games has been only 7.5 points.
Last time out they struggled to put away Elon, winning 74-63, and not looking so good in the process. NC State shot just 42% from the field against the 332nd ranked team in the nation, and were only 11 of 33 from behind the arc.
🗣️
The only thing you can rely on in basketball games is your work ethic and energy … at the end of the day you have to learn how to win all types of games. pic.twitter.com/eOggS8YQKE— NC State Men's Basketball (@PackMensBball) November 20, 2022
The Wolfpack enter play 46th in offensive efficiency, and should find sledding tough against a Jayhawks unit that ranks seventh in defensive efficiency.
The biggest advantage for either team in this matchup however, is when NC State is on defense. The Wolfpack are 101st in defensive efficiency despite playing a cupcake schedule. They’ve allowed weak opposition to be efficient inside and outside the arc, ranking 150th in opponent shooting percentage and 199th against the three.
Four NC State players currently average in double-figures, led by guard Terquavion Smith, who’s a projected lottery pick. However, the Wolfpack have not fared well against strong programs in recent history.
Kansas vs NC State Prediction
Dating back to last season, NC State has dropped 11 of its past 12 games versus Power-5 schools. Six of those losses were by double-digits, and this game profiles as another one that could get away from the Wolfpack. NC State grades out 58 spots lower than Kansas per KenPom, and are extremely vulnerable at the defensive end.
Kansas 2022-23 Results
| Date | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/07/2022 | Omaha | Kansas | KU, 89-64 |
| 11/10/2022 | North Dakota State | Kansas | KU, 82-59 |
| 11/15/2022 | Duke | Kansas | KU, 69-64 |
| 11/18/2022 | Southern Utah | Kansas | KU, 82-76 |
Also working in favor of the Jayhawks in this game is the return of head coach Bill Self. The Kansas bench boss was suspended for the first four games of the season, and the drop-off from him to his assistants is quite large.
With Self back on the sidelines, expect a Jayhawks win and cover to open the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament.
Pick: Kansas Jayhawks -8.5 (-110)
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As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
