#11 North Carolina State vs #2 Marquette Odds & Props: Can the Last Cinderella Make it to the Elite Eight?
Written by: Colby Marchio
Last Update: Mon Jun 16, 2025, 8:56 am ET
Read Time: 4 minutes
ncaab
The second week of the NCAA Tournament is here, and the #11 NC State Wolfpack looks to continue their Cinderella run as they take on the red-hot #2 Marquette Golden Eagles. Both teams have looked incredible in the first weekend of the tournament. NC State took down Texas Tech and another Cinderella team, Oakland, in the first weekend, while Marquette beat Western Kentucky and Colorado.
This weekend should be jam-packed with exciting games, and by the end of the weekend, we will have a clear idea of who will take home the entire enchilada.
Let's get into my favorite play.
Some people want to say this tournament sucks, but I personally think there is nothing more beautiful than betting on college basketball. Win or lose. I'm having the time of my life.
Let's have another fantastic week!
2-2 (+1.23U) 📈📈📈🚀 https://t.co/3suuRKoIDN
— Colby Marchio (@C_Marchio2) March 25, 2024
Picks in this piece are courtesy of Bovada. At Bovada, you can get great odds on all of the top college basketball matchups every day.
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Let's check in on how I have been doing betting on college hoops since joining Betting News.
- 17-19-2 (44%)
Units up on College Basketball this season
- +31.8U
Follow me on Action @CMarchio to get updates on all of my bets
(As of March 16, 2024)
Spread
NC State: (+6.5) (-115)
Marquette: (-6.5) (-105)
Total
Over: 151.5 (-110)
Under: 151.5 (-110)
Moneyline
NC State: +225
Marquette: -275
NC State vs Marquette Prediction
NC State Forwards, DJ Burns Jr. exited with fellow teammate
Pick: DJ Burns Jr. Over 14.5 Points (-135) Get These Odds & Sign Up Bonus @ Bovada
The Stank:
The country has fallen in love with Wolfpack forward DJ Burns Jr. (at least I have). The 6-9, 275-pound forward has moves like Hakeem and the body of Zach Randolph. My love for the Wolfpack's big man is probably pushing me to give out this play, but I love the over on his points prop against Marquette.
Over the last seven games, DJ Burns Jr. is averaging 16.4 points and 4.6 rebounds. The NC State star combined for 40 in the first two NCAA Tournament wins and has just wrecked havoc in the frontcourt. Up next: a total opposite in style, Oso Ighodaro. Can't wait to see them meet.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 26, 2024
The Golden Eagles' biggest flaw all season long has been rebounding. They lack the size to get after the boards. According to Bart Torvik, Since March 1, the Golden Eagles have been 310th in offensive rebounding and 255th in defensive rebounding. On top of that, Marquette has struggled defending the inside, 236th in 2-point defense.
Burns is going to be too much for the Eagles down low. The big man has been on a tear in the tournament, averaging 20 points per game, with a 69.6% from the field. I hope Marquette allows Burns to do whatever he wants down low while containing the rest of the Wolfpack roster.
As for a lean in this game, this is the Wolfpack's final stop in the tournament. The Golden Eagles look fully healthy and look like they are ready to go deep into this tournament. I will be rooting for the underdog because who does not want to see an eleventh seed make it past the Sweet Sixteen? Losers.
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Former D1 (club) baseball player, Colby has been betting since his college days at DePaul, where he had to endure the worst collegiate basketball the Big East has ever seen. He is an advanced analytics nerd and has never seen an underdog he has not liked. Hot. Corn. Bull. It does not matter the dog he loves them all.
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