Texas Longhorns vs. NC State Wolfpack, Picks and Prediction, Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Use Code WWWC Texas (18-14, 9-9 SEC) and NC State (20-13, 10-8 ACC) will be trying to advance to the next round of the NCAA Tournament when they meet at UD Arena on Tuesday night in a First Four matchup that is scheduled to begin at 9:15 PM. ET. Read on to find out which team picks up the win in this Longhorns vs. Wolfpack prediction. Do you need a boost in your handicapping? Try our NCAAB Betting Picks.
The Longhorns are coming off a 76-66 loss to Ole Miss as 5.5-point favorites. The Wolfpack are coming off an 81-74 loss to Virginia as 6.5-point underdogs.
Texas is 3-1 in four games against NC State. The Longhorns won the last meeting in 2025, 102-97.
Texas Trying To Snap Three-Game Losing Streak
The Longhorns finished 10th in the SEC this season and got eliminated by Ole Miss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. They have lost three straight games and will try to put an end to the streak with a win on Tuesday.
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Texas averages 83.8 points per game. They’ve made 49 percent of their field goals and 35.3 percent of their three-pointers.
Dailyn Swain leads Texas with 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Matas Vokietaitis averages 15.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, while Tramon Mark averages 13.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
Texas is giving up 76.8 points per game. Opponents have made 45.2 percent of their field goals and 36 percent of their three-pointers against them.
Wolfpack Trying To Bounce Back From Loss
The Wolfpack finished seventh in the ACC. They followed up their win over Pittsburgh in the ACC Tournament with a loss to Virginia in the quarterfinals. They will try to bounce back from the loss and pick up their second win in three games when they play on Tuesday.
NC State averages 83.7 points per game. They’ve made 47 percent of their field goals and 39 percent of their three-pointers.
Paul McNeil Jr. leads the Wolfpack with 13 Points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Quadir Copeland averages 13.9 points and 6.6 assists per game, while Ven-Allen Lubin averages 13.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
NC State is giving up 76.5 points per game. Opponents have made 45 percent of their field goals and 36 percent of their three-pointers against them.
Injuries: Lassina Traore (Knee) is questionable for this game.
Texas vs. NC State Picks
Point Spread Pick for Texas vs. NC State
- NC State Wolfpack +1.5 (4 Units)
The Wolfpack have the edge here because they’re playing well offensively, scoring more than 85 points per game in their last three games, while making over 48 percent of their shots, while the Longhorns scored less than 80 points per game and made less than 43 percent of their shots. They’ve also done a better job at the charity stripe, making over 81 percent of their free throws during that span, while the Longhorns made less than 75 percent of theirs. They rebound the ball well and grab more than eight offensive rebounds per game, which will give them more scoring chances. They turned the ball over less than 10 times per game, and won't give up many easy-scoring chances. The Longhorns aren’t playing well defensively, and gave up more than 89 points per game in their last three games, so expect them to have a hard time slowing down the Wolfpack. Take NC State to cover the spread.
Over/Under Pick for Texas vs. NC State
- Over 158.5 (4 Units)
The Longhorns average 83.8 points per game. They play at the 176th-fastest pace in the nation, averaging 70.8 possessions per game, and they’re facing a team that gave up 84.7 points per game in their last three games. The Wolfpack average 83.7 points per game. They play at the 121st-fastest pace in the nation, averaging 71.6 possessions per game, and they’re facing a team that gave up 89.7 points per game in their last three games. Expect these teams to score enough points to push the score over the total.
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