NC State vs. Purdue Odds, Predictions: 2024 March Madness Final Four

March Madness 2024 is coming to an end. Before we can crown a champion, we have to go through the Final Four. The first NCAAB matchup features the surprise No. 11 seed NC State Wolfpack and No. 1 Purdue Boilermakers. Here, we will break down the NC State vs. Purdue odds and give our best predictions. 

Somehow, the Wolfpack are in the Final Four, just a month after almost being eliminated in the ACC Tournament. NC State has taken down some big names to reach this point, including Duke in the Elite 8. Meanwhile, Purdue is looking to make its first appearance in the national championship game since 1969. 

As expected, Purdue will play as the favorite, giving () points. However, NC State continues to win postseason games as the underdog, which should make this a fun matchup. If you need help picking a side, we have got you covered with our NC State vs. Purdue predictions.

Read More: March Madness Odds | Best College Basketball Betting Sites | Final Four Odds 

NC State vs. Purdue Odds: Spread, Moneyline, Total

Check out Gaming Today’s top-ranked sports betting apps for the best 2024 Final Four odds. Below, we have included the best odds and lines for betting on the NC State vs. Purdue spread, moneyline, or total. 

NC State Betting Preview

It truly cannot be overstated how odd it is for the Wolfpack to be in Arizona for the Final Four. They finished the season with a 9-11 record in ACC play, and they were all set to fire head coach Kevin Keatts at the end of the season. 

However, they found a way to win the ACC Tournament, which not only set them up for a magical run but automatically triggered a two-year extension for Keatts. He deserves a lot of credit for putting the Wolfpack in a position to win nine straight over just 19 days. 

But it also helps that NC State has four players averaging double-digit points and a dynamic one-two punch in DJ Horne and DJ Burns Jr. holding it down. Horne leads the team in scoring, averaging 16.8 points per game and playing over 32 minutes per game. 

Meanwhile, Burns has dominated near the basket, and when needed, has been able to rack up the points. He scored 29 points in the win over Duke while completely shutting down Kyle Filipowski. This game will present a different challenge, but at this point, it would be foolish to believe that Burns and NC State cannot come out with a victory. 

The Wolfpack have defended all three levels in March, but Zach Edey is a different animal. He scored 40 points against a better Tennesee defense in the Elite 8, and no one has really had an answer for the big man this year. 

Still, if the Wolfpack can continue hitting shots and defending the three-point line, they have a great chance of covering or even winning outright. 

Purdue Betting Preview

NC State is the clear Cinderella of the tournament. However, Purdue being in the Final Four also feels like a fairy tale given their recent postseason struggles. This time last year, we were still discussing how a No. 1 seeded Boilermakers squad could lose to a No. 16 seed in the first round. 

This is also coming off several other upsets that ended their season in previous years. It became almost a forgone conclusion that Purdue would find a way to lose to a team they shouldn’t (which could still happen here), but through four games, it is clear that Matt Painters’ squad means business in 2024.

The Boilermakers have squished every opponent in March, winning by an average of 21.25 points per game. Last week’s win over the Vols was their closest game since losing to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament.

Since then, Edey has been on a roll, averaging 25 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. His presence near the hoop requires a lot of attention, which opens up the three-pointer and forces the opposition to rack up the fouls, making interior defense that much tougher. 

When you combine Edey’s size with the shooting abilities of Braden Smith, Lance Jones, and Fletcher Loyer, it is tough to get stops. The problem is they do not take many threes, and NC State is a very smart team. If the Wolfpack continue shooting well from deep and limit turnovers, they can keep this game close. 

NC State vs. Purdue Betting Trends

NC State Wolfpack (26-14, 20-19-1 ATS)

• NC State is 7-1 ATS in its last eight games. 
• NC State is 7-0 ATS in its last seven games as the underdog. 
• The total has gone OVER in six of NC State’s last seven against the Big Ten. 

Purdue Boilermakers (33-4, 21-15-1 ATS)

• Purdue is 4-1 ATS in its last five games. 
• The total has gone UNDER in four of Purdue’s last six games. 
• Purdue is 4-2 ATS in its last six games as the favorite. 

More: How NC State Reached Final Four | North Carolina Sportsbook Promos | North Carolina Betting Apps

NC State vs. Purdue Predictions: Slipper Still Fits for Wolfpack

There is no denying that NC State is good enough to win this game. However, Purdue is playing the best basketball in the country behind UConn, and nobody has had an answer for Edey all season. 

Still, NC State is getting way too many points. Purdue is a very streaky shooting team, and the Wolfpack have shown that they can defend the paint better than most teams in March. While stopping Edey from keeping the Boilermakers in this game is probably out of the question, they can hit enough threes to keep this close. 

NC State is on an incredible run. They are probably due for some regression, but the Wolfpack have taken down North Carolina, Marquette, and Duke to reach this point. NC State has defended the three-point line well in those games and has enough depth to constantly have plus-lineups on the court at all times. 

Purdue will probably find a way to win the game late, but at this number, we will back NC State to cover the spread one last time. 

NC State vs. Purdue Best Bet: Wolfpack ()

How to Watch NC State vs. Purdue

• Date: Saturday, April 6, 2024
• Tip-Off: 6:09 p.m. ET
• Location: State Farm Stadium – Glendale, AZ
• Where to Watch: TBS