The No. 20 Auburn Tigers clash with the NC State Wolfpack tonight in the ACC/SEC Challenge. NC State is fresh off a Final Four run in 2024, while Auburn reached the Final Four last season — and both programs enter this matchup under new leadership.
Early action has hit Auburn hard, pushing the line from -5.5 to -7.5, and my NC State vs. Auburn predictions and college basketball picks are siding with that movement.
NC State vs Auburn prediction
NC State vs Auburn best bet: Auburn -7.5 (-115)
The NC State Wolfpack are 5-2 but have covered the spread just once in their last four games. They're coming off a trip to the Maui Invitational, where they lost to Seton Hall and Texas despite being favored in both contests.
The Auburn Tigers have a similar 6-2 record, but it's come against better competition. While they were clobbered by No. 3-ranked Michigan, they lost by just a single point to No. 8 Houston (No. 6) while beating No. 22 St. John's.
Auburn is spearheaded by the duo of Keyshawn Hall (20.9 points and 9.0 rebounds per game) and Tahaad Pettiford (15.1 points and 3.0 assists per game).
NC State has five double-digit scorers, led by Darrion Williams (18.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg, and 3.1 apg).
Williams, Quadir Copeland, and Tre Holloman are combining to knock down 5.3 threes per game at a 55.2% clip. Given that they combined to shoot 31.9% from the arc last year, expect significant regression in that area.
That regression could hit in their first true road game against an Auburn squad that is athletic and closes out perimeter shooters. The Tigers are 68th in the country in adjusted defense, per KenPom, while NC State checks in at No. 91.
The Tigers have performed better against quality teams, and that, combined with their defense and home-court advantage, is enough for me to back them on the spread.
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NC State vs Auburn same-game parlay
Both offenses like to push the pace, which should result in more possessions and an increase in stats across the board.
Pettiford struggled with his outside shot at the start of the season, but broke out of his mini-slump in the Players Era Festival last week. He averaged 22.3 ppg over three games while going 8-19 from deep.
While I'm fading NC State on the spread, the O/U assists for Williams is too low at 1.5. The ball-handling forward has eclipsed that number in six of seven games this season and averaged 3.6 apg with Texas Tech last year.
NC State vs Auburn SGP
- Auburn -7.5
- Tahaad Pettiford Over 17.5 points
- Darrion Williams Over 1.5 assists
Our beyond the arc SGP: TEASER
The Wolfpack don't have much interior depth, which has resulted in Ven-Allen Lubin playing 70 minutes over the last two games. He's logged 9+ boards in four straight contests and will rarely come off the court in this matchup.
NC State vs Auburn SGP
- Auburn -7.5
- Tahaad Pettiford Over 17.5 points
- Darrion Williams Over 1.5 assists
- Ven-Allen Lubin Over 8.5 rebounds
NC State vs Auburn odds
- Spread: NC State +7.5 | Auburn -7.5
- Moneyline: NC State +265 | Auburn -330
- Over/Under: Over 165 | Under 165
NC State vs Auburn betting trend to know
The Wolfpack have only covered the spread in 11 of their last 31 games for -11 units and a -32% ROI. Find more college basketball betting trends for NC State vs. Auburn.
How to watch NC State vs Auburn
| Location | Neville Arena, Auburn, AL |
| Date | Wednesday, December 3, 2025 |
| Tip-off | 9:15 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
NC State vs Auburn key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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