This is one of those times when I think the wrong team is favored. Not that NC State should be favored by multiple points, but I'd have the Pack around -1. The reason is that North Carolina has been an awful shooting team so far this season, and I don't like trusting teams that can't shoot as road favorites.

I'm going to have to disagree with the various models projecting the Wolfpack to win this game; it sounds as if they will be without two key players, DJ Funderburk and Cam Hayes, for a third straight game due to COVID-19 issues. Because NC State has been short-handed for a bit, the other starters are playing really heavy minutes and thus could be a bit worn down. Under head coach Roy Williams, UNC has won 32 of its 36 games against NC State, including five in a row. The Wolfpack haven't really played anyone yet this season, while UNC has faced the likes of Stanford, Iowa, Kentucky (granted not what it usually is) and Texas.