Ole Miss Rebels vs NC State Wolfpack Picks & Predictions for Sunday December 21 2025
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The Ole Miss Rebels face off against the NC State Wolfpack on Sunday, December 21, 2025, in a neutral-site non-conference matchup at the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM ET, with national coverage on ESPN. This game features an Ole Miss team trying to build momentum against a high-powered NC State squad that has been one of the more explosive offenses in the country.
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Ole Miss Rebels Preview: Defense-First Identity Tested
Ole Miss enters this matchup with a 7–4 record, coming off back-to-back wins over Alabama A&M and Southern Miss. While the Rebels have struggled against higher-end competition recently, they remain a tough, physical team that leans heavily on defense and rebounding to stay competitive.
Statistically, Ole Miss averages 75.4 points per game while allowing just 67.7, one of the better defensive marks among teams in this matchup tier. The Rebels shoot 46% from the field, rebound well at 35.4 per game, and are active defensively with 5.5 blocks and 7.5 steals per contest. Ole Miss is comfortable playing at a slower pace and grinding games into half-court battles.
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Offensively, Malik Dia leads the Rebels with 14.2 points per game, shooting 45.0% from the floor. Dia gives Ole Miss a reliable scoring option inside and on mid-range looks, but the Rebels often rely on balanced scoring rather than one dominant offensive force.
NC State Wolfpack Preview: Explosive Offense with Depth
NC State comes into this contest at 8–4 overall, fresh off a 108–72 blowout win over Texas Southern. The Wolfpack narrowly missed a marquee win against Kansas in overtime earlier this month and have shown they can score with nearly anyone.
The Wolfpack average an eye-catching 89.3 points per game, one of the highest marks in the nation, while allowing 73.0. NC State shoots 49% from the field, moves the ball exceptionally well with 17.2 assists per game, and pressures defenses with 8.2 steals per contest. Their ability to score quickly in transition is a major weapon.
Leading NC State is Darrion Williams, who averages 16.0 points per game on 50.8% shooting, along with 81.5% from the free-throw line. Williams anchors a balanced offense that features multiple scoring threats, making it difficult for opponents to key in defensively.
Key Points to Watch For
- Pace Contrast: Ole Miss prefers slower, defensive games; NC State thrives in transition
- Scoring Gap: NC State averages nearly 14 more points per game
- Defensive Resistance: Ole Miss’ defense vs NC State’s efficiency
- Rebounding Battle: Fairly even, but NC State’s depth matters late
- Momentum Factor: NC State has faced stronger competition overall
Ole Miss vs NC State Pick
Best Bet: NC State Wolfpack to Cover the Spread
I’m backing NC State here because their offensive ceiling is significantly higher than Ole Miss’. The Wolfpack’s ability to push pace, generate turnovers, and score in bunches creates separation that Ole Miss may struggle to counter. Ole Miss’ defense can keep them competitive early, but over 40 minutes NC State’s scoring depth should prevail. Betting on sports and on NC State is easy, but even easier if you use the best sportsbooks. Make sure you know about how the fans are looking on prediction markets for Ole Miss with the social sportsbooks. Getting the most out of your bets on NC State vs Ole Miss can be done by using the Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.
Lean Pick: Over the Total
NC State games tend to trend higher due to tempo and shot volume, and Ole Miss has shown it can score enough to contribute if forced into a faster pace. Even if Ole Miss tries to slow things down, NC State’s transition offense can push this game past expectations.
NC State’s offensive efficiency and depth should wear down Ole Miss in the second half, especially once pace increases and possessions stack up.
Final Score Prediction
NC State Wolfpack 86, Ole Miss Rebels 74
NC State pulls away late behind consistent scoring and tempo control, securing a solid neutral-court win and reinforcing its offensive firepower.
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