BTP Weekly Pregame Predictions: Miami / Clemson

Another week, another pair of games to guess blindly at. If anyone really thinks they can accurately pick how this NC State basketball team is going to perform game to game, then I’d like you to buy me a lottery ticket.

This week, the Pack faces Miami and Clemson. The Hurricanes are right around NC State in conference standings, so defending home court with a win could help to make some separation. The Tigers, however, turned around their 0-3 start to conference play by sweeping the three Triangle teams in succession, capping with #3 Duke tonight. They have an interesting five game stretch against local teams: NC State, UNC, Duke, NC State again, and Wake Forest.

BTP contributors chipped in with their score predictions, plus their thoughts on how they think the games will go.

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Opponent: Miami

Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Home/Away: Home

TheRealEssad

Prediction: 74-70 (W)

Comment: “Picking a win even though I shouldn’t. The team is flip flopping performances so it tracks they’d follow up the VT game with a win. Sure.”

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JEOHankins2

Prediction: 82-77 (W)

Comment: “Bryce returns, doesn’t play great but brings much needed leadership during The U’s runs”

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no23sports

Prediction: 82-75 (W)

Comment: “The Pack get back on track at home.”

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Steven

Prediction: 78-69 (W)

Comment: Miami plays maybe the worst defense NC State will see from a power-conference opponent.

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KenPom Projection: 81-74 (W)

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BTP Staff Cumulative Prediction: 79-73 (W)

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Opponent: Clemson

Date: Saturday, January 18, 2020

Home/Away: Home

Note: the rest of the team made their picks prior to Clemson’s upset over Duke. That may have altered their picks. They can let you know in the comments.

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TheRealEssad

Prediction: 72-81 (L)

Comment: “Clemson just followed up ending a 59 game road losing streak to UNC by upsetting #3 Duke. Now they’re losing on the road at State? Nah.”

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JEOHankins2

Prediction: 68-65 (W)

Comment: “Clemson plays confidently, but fall short offensively on the road, revenge factor too.”

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no23sports

Prediction: 73-65 (W)

Comment: “NC State plays with the focus they were missing in the game at Littlejohn.”

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Steven

Prediction: 82-70 (W)

Comment: “Basically I thought about the last game for five seconds, got mad, then decided on a score that would make me feel better.”

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KenPom Projection: 73-66 (W)

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BTP Staff Cumulative Prediction: 74-69 (W)