Norfolk State vs. North Carolina Central Prediction 3/10/23

The MEAC Tournament is heating up, and on March 10, the Norfolk State Spartans will take on the North Carolina Central Eagles in what is expected to be a highly competitive matchup. The game is scheduled for 8:00 PM Eastern Time and will be broadcasted on ESPN+.

KingPin.pro, the premier sports betting app for iOS and Android, is your go-to destination for all your betting needs. With KingPin.pro, you can get the latest betting odds, trends, and predictions for the upcoming matchup between Norfolk State and North Carolina Central.

Norfolk State Spartans

The Norfolk State Spartans are coming into this game with a 21-10 overall record, and they finished 9-5 in conference play. The Spartans have been playing some great basketball lately, winning five out of their last six games, including a convincing 73-56 victory over Coppin State in their last outing.

The Spartans are led by guard Joe Bryant Jr., who averages 17.6 points per game, and forward Kashaun Hicks, who chips in 11.7 points per game. The Spartans play a well-balanced offensive game, averaging 76.3 points per game while shooting 47.8% from the field.

On the defensive end, the Spartans allow an average of 68.8 points per game, and they have been able to hold their opponents to under 70 points in five out of their last six games.

North Carolina Central Eagles

The North Carolina Central Eagles come into this game with an 18-11 overall record and finished 10-4 in conference play. The Eagles have been on a roll lately, winning their last eight games, including an 89-59 beatdown of Delaware State in their last outing.

The Eagles are led by guard Jordan Perkins, who averages 11.4 points per game, and guard Jalen Wright, who chips in 16.2 points per game. The Eagles play an efficient offensive game, averaging 76.0 points per game while shooting 47.3% from the field.

On the defensive end, the Eagles allow an average of 65.7 points per game, and they have been able to hold their opponents to under 70 points in six out of their last eight games.

Betting Trends

When it comes to betting trends, the North Carolina Central Eagles have been a solid team to bet on this season. They are 15-8-2 against the spread (ATS) this season, and they have covered the spread in six out of their last eight games.

The Norfolk State Spartans have also been a good team to bet on, going 13-12-2 ATS this season. They have covered the spread in four out of their last six games.

Public Betting Data

The public betting data shows that the majority of the bets are coming in on the North Carolina Central Eagles to cover the spread. As of March 10, 2023, 57.6% of the bets are on the Eagles to cover the 1-point spread.

Odds

The latest betting odds for this game show that the Norfolk State Spartans are the favorites, with a -1.0 point spread. The over/under is set at 136.5 points.

Injuries

Both teams are relatively healthy heading into this game, with no major injuries to report.

Prediction

This game between the Norfolk State Spartans and the North Carolina Central Eagles in the MEAC Tournament is expected to be a close matchup, with both teams having similar statistics and performances throughout the season. Here is a breakdown of each team's strengths and weaknesses, along with a prediction for the final outcome.

Norfolk State Spartans

The Norfolk State Spartans have had a solid season, finishing with a record of 21-10 overall and 9-5 in conference play. They have a balanced offensive attack, with guard Jalen Bryant Jr. leading the team in scoring with an average of 17.6 points per game. He is also a good distributor of the ball, averaging 3.3 assists per game.

The Spartans also have a strong inside presence with forward Kashaun Hicks and center Keishawn Brewton both averaging over six rebounds per game. They are a strong defensive team, holding opponents to just 68.8 points per game on 47.8% shooting.

One area where the Spartans struggle is with turnovers, averaging 13.1 per game. They will need to take better care of the ball in this matchup, as turnovers could be costly against a good North Carolina Central team.

North Carolina Central Eagles

The North Carolina Central Eagles finished the season with a record of 18-11 overall and 10-4 in conference play. They are led by guard Jordan Wright, who averages 16.2 points per game and shoots 47.5% from the field.

The Eagles are a well-rounded team, with five players averaging at least 8.5 points per game. They also have a strong defense, holding opponents to just 65.7 points per game on 47.3% shooting.

North Carolina Central's weakness is their lack of size, with center Bryan Medley-Bacon being their only player over 6'8". This could be an issue against the bigger and more physical Norfolk State frontcourt.

Betting Trends

The betting trends for this game heavily favor North Carolina Central, with 57.6% of the matchup predictor giving them the edge. The spread consensus pick is currently undecided, with both teams being given equal odds to cover the spread.

Public Betting Data

The public betting data also shows a slight edge to North Carolina Central, with 52% of the bets being placed on them to cover the spread.

Odds

The current odds have Norfolk State listed as a 1-point favorite, with an over/under of 136.5 points.

Injuries

Both teams are relatively healthy heading into this game, with no major injuries to report.

Prediction

This matchup between the Norfolk State Spartans and the North Carolina Central Eagles is expected to be a closely contested game. However, KingPin.pro believes that the Eagles have a slight edge in this matchup due to their well-rounded offense and strong defense.

The key for North Carolina Central will be to limit turnovers and take advantage of their outside shooting, as they are one of the top three-point shooting teams in the MEAC. They will also need to keep the Norfolk State frontcourt in check and prevent them from dominating the boards.

Overall, KingPin.pro predicts that North Carolina Central will win this game by a final score of 72-68. However, with such a close matchup, it could go either way and be decided in the final minutes of the game. Bettors should exercise caution and consider all factors before placing their bets.

Pick: North Carolina Central Eagles (+1)