NC State vs. Auburn Prediction & Odds: College Basketball Betting Preview for Dec. 3

The ACC/SEC Men’s Challenge rolls on tonight, and I am breaking down one of Wednesday’s marquee games with my NC State vs. Auburn prediction. No. 20 Auburn is a 6.5-point betting favorite ahead of tip from Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., at 9:15 p.m. ET (ESPN).

Both teams have two losses after challenging themselves in difficult early-season tournaments, and their defensive lapses against high-quality competition are why I am backing the Over as my best bet for this non-conference matchup.

✅ NC State vs. Auburn predictions

🏀 NC State vs. Auburn best bet & score prediction

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Over 164.5 (-115) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

NC State and Auburn suffered three of their four combined losses in tournaments on Maui and at the Players Era Festival last week, respectively. In two of those losses, each team allowed 102 points, and their defensive issues are why I am backing the Over as a confident four-star NC State vs. Auburn best bet.

The Wolfpack have defensive interior issues

In two losses to Seton Hall and Texas in Maui, NC State allowed both opponents to shoot 64.7% or better from inside the arc, as rim protection is an issue for the undersized Wolfpack. Compounding the problem even more is that Texas also made half of its 32 3-point attempts, which led to the Longhorns averaging 1.42 points per possession.

One concerning trend for why NC State has played soft defensively at times is that star forward Darrion Williams has had difficulty staying out of foul trouble. He has fouled out of each of the last two games, and had four fouls in the first game in Maui against Seton Hall, which limited him to just 29 minutes.

Auburn is averaging the 196th-fastest tempo in the country thus far, but typically tends to ramp it up when playing in “The Jungle.” Regardless, the Tigers are still operating at a top-12 clip in adjusted offensive efficiency, own the seventh-lowest turnover rate, and are rebounding their own misses better than 40% of the time (14th-best).

The Over has cashed in all five games Auburn has been favored, including the four games at Neville Arena. That is why I am not concerned that this total has plummeted from an opening number of 167.5. 

I am making this $10 wager at FanDuel, the only one of the best sports betting sites with a total lower than 165.5. Its -115 odds carry a 53.49% implied probability, and would net $8.70 in profit if the Over cashes.

Score prediction: Auburn 87, NC State 82

🆚 NC State vs. Auburn matchup to watch

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Trejuan Holloman vs. Auburn defense

Tre Holloman has made multiple 3-pointers in two of the last four games. But head coach Will Wade is likely to let his senior point guard let it fly more from deep, as he has shot 57.1% from beyond the arc, including making seven of his last 11.

Holloman’s excellent perimeter shooting is a big reason the Wolfpack have shot the 3-pointer at the fourth-best rate in the country. And Auburn’s defense should oblige in this matchup, allowing opponents to score 34.7% of their points from beyond the arc (86th-most).

Best prop bet: Trejuan Holloman Over 1.5 made 3-pointers (-145 via bet365)

📊 NC State vs. Auburn odds

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📺 How to watch NC State vs. Auburn

• Date: Wednesday, Dec. 3
• Tipoff: 9:15 p.m. ET
• Location: Neville Arena (Auburn, Ala.)
• TV: ESPN