Pittsburgh Panthers vs NC State Wolfpack Picks and Predictions for Wednesday March 11 2026
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The Pittsburgh Panthers and NC State Wolfpack meet in the T. Rowe Price ACC Tournament Second Round on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:00 PM ET, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN2. According to DraftKings, NC State enters the matchup as an 8.5-point favorite with the total set at 143.5. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for additional tournament predictions and betting insights.
Pittsburgh Carrying Confidence from First-Round Upset
The Pittsburgh Panthers enter the second round with a 13-19 overall record and a 5-13 mark in ACC play. They advanced in the tournament after recently winning over Stanford 64-63 in the first round. Over their last five games, Pittsburgh has recently won over Stanford, Syracuse, and California, while they have recently lost to Florida State and Stanford.
Pittsburgh averages 70.2 points per game while allowing 71.0 points per contest this season. The Panthers shoot 44% from the field and average 34.7 rebounds and 13.3 assists per game, reflecting a team that relies on balanced scoring and rebounding to stay competitive. Defensively they contribute 6.7 steals and 3.1 blocks per game, which has helped them stay in close games throughout the year.
In the opening-round win over Stanford, Pittsburgh leaned on rebounding and interior efficiency to secure the narrow victory. Barry Dunning Jr. led the Panthers with 16 points while also grabbing 8 rebounds, helping Pittsburgh dominate the boards 41-28. That rebounding edge and defensive effort will be critical again as they face an NC State team that prefers to play at a faster pace.
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NC State Looking to Bounce Back in Tournament Play
The NC State Wolfpack enter the ACC Tournament with a 19-12 overall record and a 10-8 mark in conference play. In their last five games, NC State has recently won over North Carolina, while they have recently lost to Stanford, Duke, Notre Dame, and Virginia.
NC State averages 83.5 points per game while allowing 76.0 points, making them one of the more productive offensive teams in the ACC. The Wolfpack shoot 47% from the field and average 35.0 rebounds and 15.7 assists per game, showing their ability to move the ball and generate scoring opportunities. Defensively they record 8.2 steals and 3.3 blocks per game, often using defensive pressure to create transition scoring chances.
In their most recent game, NC State recently lost to Stanford 85-84 in a tightly contested matchup. Ven-Allen Lubin led the Wolfpack with 17 points while also pulling down 11 rebounds, delivering a strong double-double performance. Despite shooting 48% from the field, turnovers and defensive lapses proved costly, something NC State will need to clean up against a Pittsburgh team that thrives in close, physical games.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs NC State Wolfpack Pick
Pittsburgh Panthers vs NC State Wolfpack Spread Pick
- Pick: NC State Wolfpack -8.5
NC State enters this matchup with a significant offensive advantage, averaging over 83 points per game compared to Pittsburgh’s 70. The Wolfpack’s ability to score in transition and generate steals could create problems for a Panthers team playing on short rest after a physical first-round game. While Pittsburgh has momentum from their upset win, NC State’s offensive depth and rebounding ability should allow them to gradually pull away as the game progresses.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs NC State Wolfpack Total Pick
- Pick: Over 143.5
I like the over in this matchup because NC State plays at a faster pace and consistently pushes games into higher scoring territory. Pittsburgh has also shown it can compete offensively when its rebounding creates second-chance opportunities. With NC State’s scoring ability and Pittsburgh likely needing to keep up offensively, this matchup has the potential to move beyond the posted total.
Final Score Prediction: NC State 79, Pittsburgh 70
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