Texas Longhorns vs NC State Wolfpack Picks and Predictions for Tuesday March 17 2026
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The Texas Longhorns and NC State Wolfpack face off at UD Arena in Dayton, OH, with tip-off scheduled for 9:15 PM on truTV. Texas comes in with a slight edge on the moneyline at -105, while NC State is listed at -115, and the total sits at 158.5. The spread varies slightly by book but is essentially a pick’em game. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily betting insights and predictions.
Longhorns Searching for Consistency
Texas enters this matchup with an 18-14 overall record and has struggled recently, recently losing to Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Florida while only recently winning over Texas A&M. This stretch shows a team that has had difficulty closing games and maintaining momentum.
The Longhorns are averaging 83.8 points per game while allowing around 78.0, shooting an efficient 49% from the field. They grab 37.7 rebounds per game and average 12.3 assists, along with 2.9 blocks and 5.8 steals per contest. Offensively, Texas has been productive and capable of putting up points in a hurry.
What stands out is their offensive efficiency, but their defensive inconsistency has been an issue. When Texas gets into high-scoring games, they can compete, but their inability to consistently get stops has hurt them in close matchups.
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Wolfpack Looking to Regain Form
NC State comes into this game with a 20-13 record and has also been inconsistent, recently losing to Virginia, Stanford, Duke, and Notre Dame while only recently winning over Pitt. Like Texas, they have struggled to string together wins down the stretch.
The Wolfpack are averaging 83.7 points per game while allowing around 79.0, shooting 47% from the field. They collect 34.5 rebounds per game and move the ball well with 15.6 assists per contest, while also contributing 3.4 blocks and 8.1 steals per game.
One key strength for NC State is their ability to create turnovers and generate extra possessions. However, their defensive lapses have been costly, especially against teams that can score efficiently like Texas.
Texas Longhorns vs NC State Wolfpack Pick
Texas Longhorns vs NC State Wolfpack Spread Pick
- Texas Longhorns -1.5
This game is very evenly matched, but I give a slight edge to Texas because of their offensive efficiency and rebounding advantage. Even though both teams have struggled recently, Texas has shown the ability to score at a high level, which should help them in what could turn into a fast-paced game. In a near pick’em scenario, I’ll take Texas to cover.
Texas Longhorns vs NC State Wolfpack Total Pick
- Over 158.5
I like the over in this matchup because both teams are strong offensively and have struggled defensively. With both sides averaging over 83 points per game and allowing close to 80, this game sets up for a high-scoring battle. I expect pace and shot-making to drive this total over the number.
Final Score Prediction: Texas Longhorns 85, NC State Wolfpack 81
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