The SC State Bulldogs take on the NC Central Eagles in Durham, NC. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
NC Central is favored by 7.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -365. The total is set at 144.5 points.
Here’s my SC State vs. NC Central predictions and college basketball picks for March 5, 2026.
SC State vs NC Central Prediction
My Pick: NC Central 1H ATS
My SC State vs NC Central best bet is on the Eagles to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
SC State vs. NC Central Odds
| SC State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -110 | 144.5 -110 / -110 | +290 |
| NC Central Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -110 | 144.5 -110 / -110 | -365 |
- SC State vs NC Central spread: NC Central -7.5
- SC State vs NC Central over/under: 144.5 points
- SC State vs NC Central moneyline: SC State +290, NC Central -365
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SC State vs NC Central College Basketball Betting Preview
SC State Basketball
South Carolina State enters Thursday's MEAC matchup with an 8-21 overall record.
SC State began the season in atrocious fashion, losing its first 12 contests and 14 of its first 15, with its sole victory coming against a non-Division I program. The Bulldogs made some slight improvements in the latter half of the season and are currently tied for fifth in the MEAC standings.
SC State head coach Erik Martin is in his fourth season at the helm and actually had a relatively promising last campaign with the Bulldogs, finishing with a 20-13 record.
Unfortunately, that's far from the case this season, as Martin’s bunch has struggled on both ends of the floor all season long. The Bulldogs haven't been to the NCAA Tournament since 2003.
Leading the charge for the Bulldogs' offense is Jayden Johnson, who's averaging over 13 points per contest.
While the Bulldogs haven't had many high points this season, their guard play has been relatively solid, with their Owen Bronston Jr. also posting double-figure scoring efforts.
Martin’s frontcourt has been non-existent offensively, without a single forward scoring over 8.5 points per game this season. The Bulldogs' offense is scoring just 66.7 points a night and ranks outside the top 350 in the country in offensive efficiency rating, per KenPom.
On the other end of the floor, it hasn't been much better, with SC State allowing its opponents upwards of 80 points per contest. Its near-14-point scoring margin is among the worst in the MEAC.
Like its offense, the Bulldogs' defense ranks near the bottom of Division I programs, posting a defensive efficiency rating that ranks 357th nationally.
NC Central Basketball
NC Central has been slightly better than its Thursday night opponent, entering this contest with a 12-16 overall record. The Eagles currently rank fourth in the MEAC standings.
LeVelle Moton is in his 17th season as head coach of the Eagles, having previously led them to four NCAA Tournament appearances.
Gage Lattimore is having a phenomenal sophomore season, leading the team in scoring with over 17 points per contest. The guard is also posting four rebounds and over two assists on average.
Khouri Carvey is also having himself a stellar final collegiate season for NC Central. The 6-foot-9 forward is scoring nearly 14 points and over six rebounds per contest.
Moton’s offense has scored over 72 points per game this season and ranks in the top 320 in offensive efficiency ratings, according to Haslametrics.
On the other end of the floor, the Eagles are allowing their opponents just over 76 points per contest this season, posting a -4 scoring margin, which ranks near the top of the conference.
NC Central has really struggled on the glass, averaging just 31 rebounds per contest, which ranks in the bottom 5% of all Division I programs.
The Eagles are coming off a big road victory over MEAC rival Maryland Eastern Shore, giving Moton’s bunch some confidence as the regular season comes to a close.
SC State vs. NC Central Betting Analysis
This should be a pretty ugly matchup, featuring two teams that rank near the bottom of Division I in several efficiency metrics. However, both teams are coming off victories, which could prove vital for their confidence heading into this clash.
I think NC Central is the clear right side in this matchup, as it's entering this contest with the better record and in far superior form.
While Moton’s Eagles have been dreadful at crashing the boards — without a single player in their rotation standing over 6-foot-8 — the Bulldogs are nearly as bad on the glass, which minimizes the area in which NC Central has struggled the most in all season long.
In a matchup featuring two teams desperate for some confidence prior to the MEAC Tournament, I'll be taking a small position on the home favorite on the moneyline.
My Pick: NC Central 1H ATS
