Creighton Blue Jays vs NC State Wolfpack Point Spread Picks

N.C. State comes into the tournament losing three of its last four games, including a blowout 80-54 loss to Clemson in the ACC Tournament last Thursday when the Wolfpack shot just 35 percent. DJ Burns, the Wolfpack's 6-9 forward, will have to contend with Creighton's Ryan Kalkbrenner, who is considered one of the nation's top centers. Kalkbrenner shot an amazing 71.4 percent and leads the Bluejays with 15.4 points per game. N.C. State's loss to Clemson went UNDER by 14.5 points and both teams are 11-5 UNDER their past 16 games against teams with .600 winning percentages. The Bluejays allow 42.2 percent shooting and 68.5 points per game and 31.9 in the first half. The Wolfpack allow 32.6 points before halftime and 70.8 for the game. N.C. State is 3-9 ATS its past 12 games after losing by at least 20 points and Creighton is 6-1 ATS after losing by that many and the Bluejays come off an 82-60 loss to Xavier that snapped a three-game win streak. Play Creighton on the moneyline, play the first half UNDER, and take the full game to stay UNDER as a Max Play. 

North Carolina State is undefeated, but they haven't played anybody. This team topped Georgia Southern by a basket as a 14-point favorite, then North Carolina State trailed by two at halftime against Montana as -9 chalk on Friday before rallying. The Wolfpack topped Montana without swingman Maverick Rowan (concussion) and forward Ted Kapita (visa issues). North Carolina State is 9-of-45 (20 percent) beyond the arc this season. Creighton is also unbeaten, and more impressive. They topped Wisconsin as a dog, 79-67, and made a major statement in the opening round of the Paradise Jam, routing Washington State, 103-77. Cole Huff scored 19 points and Marcus Foster added 16 in the one-sided affair. The Bluejays are averaging 90.3 points and shot 56.3 percent (15-of-27) beyond the arc in Friday's blowout. Eight different Creighton players have made a three-pointer this season, with all eight of them shooting at least 40 percent from long range. Play Creighton on the moneyline.