Stanford vs. NC State: Predictions, picks, odds

Women’s Sweet 16 preview

With the Sweet 16 upon us, USA Today Sports’ Tony Anderson previews a few of the top matchups we’re most looking forward to.

Sports Seriously

The March Madness action heats up in the Sweet 16.

The No. 2 Stanford Cardinal face the No. 3 North Carolina State Wolfpack in Friday’s slate of games.

For Tara VanDerveer’s Stanford team, junior forward Kiki Iriafen had a whopping 41 points and 16 rebounds in the Cardinal’s 87-81 overtime win over the Iowa State Cyclones in the second round. Senior forward Cameron Brink fouled out after scoring eight points with eight rebounds and five blocks. She was the Pac-12 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year with an average of 17.5 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per outing.

Junior guard Aziaha James leads a well-rounded North Carolina State team with 16.0 points per game along with 4.6 rebounds. In the Wolfpack’s second-round 79-72 win over the Tennessee Volunteers, she had 22 points, seven assists and two steals. Junior guard Saniya Rivers was right behind her with 20 points, six rebounds, two steals and three blocks. They are playing in their seventh tournament appearance in eight years under coach Wes Moore.

Here’s what to know about Friday’s Sweet 16 matchup.

Women’s March Madness Sweet 16: Schedule, picks feature usual suspects

Stanford vs. NC State predictions

USA TODAY Sports: NC State

Basketball experts Lindsay Schnell and Nancy Armor both have NC State beating Stanford and advancing to the Elite Eight.

Fayetteville Observer: NC State 86, Stanford 72

Sports editor Monica Holland writes: “NC State guard (Saniya) Rivers has a ridiculously high ceiling that she’s only shown glimpses of. She continues to flourish in high-stakes matchups and (Aziaha) James has risen to the occasion, too, taking off some pressure and giving Rivers more options. The Wolfpack guards are too hard to stop when they’re feeling it, and they’re not ready to come home yet.”

ESPN: Stanford holds significant edge in model

ESPN Analytics give Stanford a 71.8% chance to advance to the Elite Eight. The same model gives NC State a 28.2% chance to pull off the upset.

More: Women’s NCAA Tournament teams joining men’s counterparts in the Sweet 16 of March Madness

Stanford vs. NC State: Odds, spread and lines for March Madness

Stanford is the favorite to defeat North Carolina State in Friday’s March Madness matchup, according to the BetMGM college basketball odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering sports betting promos in 2024.

Odds as of Thursday.

• Spread: Stanford (-4.5)
• Moneyline: Stanford (-210); NC State (+170)
• Above/below: 134.5

How to watch Stanford vs. NC State: TV, streaming and schedule

• When: Friday, March 29
• Hour: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
• Cable TV: ESPN
• Streaming: ESPN+

How to watch NCAA women’s basketball March Madness 2024

All games will be broadcast across ESPN’s family of channels. Here are additional streaming options to watch all the action on your devices.

More: Watch all tournament games with a subscription to fuboTV

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