SC State vs North Carolina Central Prediction 3/5/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The South Carolina State Bulldogs and North Carolina Central Eagles meet Thursday in college basketball action at the McDougald-McLendon Arena. Here’s an SC State vs. North Carolina Central prediction. This article will include an SC State vs. North Carolina Central pick.

South Carolina State Bulldogs Betting Preview

The South Carolina State Bulldogs lost to Maryland Eastern Shore and beat Delaware State. South Carolina State has lost 5 of its last 7 games.

The South Carolina State Bulldogs are averaging 68.5 points on 40.9 percent shooting and allowing 82.1 points on 47.4 percent shooting. Jayden Johnson is averaging 13.1 points and 2.7 rebounds, while Owen Bronston Jr. is averaging 10.6 points and 2.7 rebounds. Noah Treadwell is dishing out 0.7 assists, and Cameron Clark is grabbing 5.3 rebounds. The South Carolina State Bulldogs are shooting 33.3 percent from beyond the arc and 66.7 percent from the free throw line. The South Carolina State Bulldogs are allowing 34.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 28.6 rebounds per game.

North Carolina Central Eagles Betting Preview

The North Carolina Central Eagles beat Delaware State and Maryland Eastern Shore. NC Central has split its last 10 games.

The North Carolina Central Eagles are averaging 75.2 points on 44.3 percent shooting and allowing 79.1 points on 46.4 percent shooting. Gage Lattimore is averaging 17.3 points and 4 rebounds, while Khouri Carvey is averaging 13.6 points and 6.3 rebounds. Jae Slack is the third double-digit scorer and Dionte Johnson is grabbing 3.8 rebounds. The North Carolina Central Eagles are shooting 33.5 percent from beyond the arc and 72.3 percent from the free throw line. The North Carolina Central Eagles are allowing 35.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 29.6 rebounds per game.

Why the North Carolina Central Eagles will win

• South Carolina State has lost each of its last six day games against conference opponents.
• North Carolina Central has won 15 of its last 17 day games against conference opponents at McDougald-McLendon Arena.
• South Carolina State has lost the first half in 12 of its last 15 road games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the South Carolina State Bulldogs will win

• North Carolina Central has lost three of its last four day games against conference opponents.

Total Points: Facts

• Five of North Carolina Central’s last six home day games against conference opponents have produced a total of 140 or fewer points.
• Six of South Carolina State’s last eight day games against the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference have produced a total of 142 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• South Carolina State ranks 360th among Division 1 teams for offensive rating this season (96.7).
• South Carolina State ranks 360th among Division 1 teams for points per possession this season (0.97).

SC State vs North Carolina Central Prediction

North Carolina Central is the better team and is getting the benefit of the doubt at home. However, let’s not act like SC State didn’t win the first meeting a few weeks ago as 3.5-point dogs. Dominated much of that game. Also, North Carolina Central has had issues in the big favorite role and that includes an outright loss to Coppin State. North Carolina Central doesn’t play much defense and allows teams to hang around. I’ll grab the points with SC State.

Randy Chambers's Pick: SC State +8.5