Delaware State vs NC Central Prediction College Basketball Picks 3/15/24
Delaware State Hornets (14-17) vs NC Central Eagles (18-12)
Game Info: Friday, March 15, 2024 at 8:00 pm (Norfolk Scope)
Betting Odds: NC Central Eagles -4.5 -- Over/Under: Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN+
The Delaware State Hornets and the North Carolina Central Eagles meet Friday in MEAC Tournament college basketball action from Norfolk Scope. Let’s get into our Delaware State vs NC Central prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Pick Dawgz.
Delaware State Hornets
The Hornets got off to a rough 2-6 start this year, but did have a solid midseason run with an 8-3 stretch. Delaware State would then lose four straight before wins over Coppin State, Morgan State and Norfolk State in the next five. The final two regular-season outings were both losses, though.
On Thursday in the tournament game versus South Carolina State, the Hornets were in trouble at halftime following a 36-27 deficit. Delaware State roared back in the second however, posting a 44-22 run for a 71-58 win. Deywilk Tavarez led the team on 29 points with five steals in the victory.
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NC Central Eagles
Over on the Eagles’ side, they kicked off the year on a 10-7 run, then hit a sketchy 3-4 stretch in January/February. NC Central has rallied since then on a 5-1 stretch. The lone loss was to Morgan State with wins over MD-Eastern Shore, Delaware State, Coppin State and South Carolina State otherwise.
In the tournament rematch versus MD-Eastern Shore on Wednesday, the Eagles held a slim 40-37 lead by the break. North Carolina Central held strong in the second half on a 47-44 run though, and ended up winning 87-81. Fred Cleveland topped the scorers with 21 points and six assists.
ANDREW’S FREE DELAWARE STATE VS NC CENTRAL PREDICTION
I might take a stab on Delaware State. Some of that may be due to a tepid performance by the Eagles against a struggling MD-Eastern Shore team in their quarterfinal round, though. NC Central gave up 50.9 percent shooting in that one and had the slimmest of rebounding leads 35-34. Still, the Eagles will likely score well here also; it’ll take a big push for Delaware State to keep pace.
The last time these teams met up on February 26, NC Central took a 93-81 win at home. The Eagles shot a nice 54.4 percent from the field in that one and had a 36-24 rebounding edge. That said, NC Central also coughed up 12 turnovers for 22 Hornets points. Delaware State has scored 71 or more points in each of their last three wins, so if they can hit that threshold in this tournament matchup I think the Hornets have a good shot at holding the pace.
Andrew’s Pick Delaware State Hornets +4.5
AUTHOR: Andrew Jett
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