Expert prediction
No. 16 North Carolina vs NC State Preview, Odds, Predictions (Feb. 17)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- The Red Raiders have a 3-3 record on the road.
- The Wildcats are no longer undefeated after losing to Kansas.
- This marks the 250th all-time meeting between the ACC programs.
Basketball fans in the state of North Carolina will look forward to their big in-state matchup as NC State hosts the No. 16 Tar Heels for an ACC showdown. The Tar Heels enter the game as the solid favorite but may be vulnerable to an upset as injuries could limit their potency on the road.
How to Watch
- When: Tuesday, Feb. 17, 7 pm ET
- Where: Lenovo Center, Raleigh, North Carolina
- How to Watch: ESPN
NCAA Matchup Odds & Lines
| Team | Odds | Spread | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | -110 | +9 | O156.5 |
| NC State | -110 | -9 | U156.5 |
Game Preview
The No. 16 Tar Heels (20-5, 8-4 ACC) are back on the win column following their road loss to the Miami Hurricanes. They bounced back with a home win over the Pittsburgh Panthers, defending homecourt in spite of facing injuries with Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar being on the sidelines.
North Carolina is 24th in the nation in offensive efficiency and 44th in defensive efficiency. Jarin Stevenson and Seth Trimble will look to have big impacts after scoring 19 points each against Pittsburgh. Zayden High had a career-high 15 points in his first start following the team’s injuries, hoping to carry that momentum over for the rivalry duel.
The Wolfpack (18-8, 9-4 ACC) have taken a step back after gaining momentum with a six-game win streak. They sustained back-to-back losses to the ranked Louisville Cardinals and the Miami Hurricanes, going down a few spots in the conference standings.
Darrion Williams leads the unit with averages of 14.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and three assists per game. He will be important in the Tar Heels’ attack for the rivalry matchup, especially if the game is close. Quadir Copeland could also have a vital role with his playmaking qualities, producing 13.8 points and 6.8 assists per contest.
North Carolina vs NC State Head-to-Head
The two programs have had 249 meetings in their history, and the result is 168-81 for the Tar Heels. The last matchup was in February 2025 when North Carolina secured a 97-73 win at home.
North Carolina vs NC State Predictions
It will be a tough in-state rivalry matchup, no matter the quality gap between the Tar Heels and the Wolfpack. North Carolina has persevered through its injuries to key players, getting huge contributions from the rest of the roster. With this game being on the road, they may be vulnerable if they can’t start strong as NC State takes advantage and feeds off the homecourt support. Our betting pick here is for the Tar Heels to defend a 7-point spread.
- Free NCAAB pick: NC State Wolfpack +7
NCAAB
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