The NC State Wolfpack take on the Syracuse Orange in Syracuse, NY. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Syracuse is favored by 1.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -122. The total is set at 143.5 points.
Here’s my NC State vs. Syracuse predictions and college basketball picks for February 26, 2025.
NC State vs Syracuse Prediction
My Pick: NC State +1.5
My NC State vs Syracuse best bet is on the Wolfpack spread, with the best odds currently available at DraftKings. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
NC State vs Syracuse Odds
| NC State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -115 | 143.5 -115o / -105u | +102 |
| Syracuse Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -105 | 143.5 -115o / -105u | -122 |
- NC State vs Syracuse spread: Syracuse -1.5
- NC State vs Syracuse over/under: 143.5 points
- NC State vs Syracuse moneyline: Syracuse -122, NC State +102
- NC State vs Syracuse best bet: NC State +1.5
Spread
There's value on NC State down the stretch, so I'll take it in this game.
Moneyline
I like NC State now that it has its ideal rotation — and Paul McNeil — on the floor.
Over/Under
I don't have a play on the total.
My Pick: NC State +1.5
NC State vs Syracuse College Basketball Betting Preview
This is a scary one on Wednesday, but I'm looking at NC State against Syracuse as a small 'dog in a game that's important for both teams in terms of making the ACC Tournament.
The problem is Syracuse is likely going to crush NC State on the offensive glass. Also, the Wolfpack are 0-10 on the road and 2-6 in games decided by four or less points. Meanwhile, the Orange are 4-3 in those close games.
However, I think there's value on NC State down the stretch because it's finally playing its ideal rotation and it's playing Paul McNeil, who was incredible against Wake Forest (24 points on 8-of-13 shooting) and is an NBA player.
I'm not sure what took the Wolfpack so long to play and start McNeil. Apparently he found out 10 minutes before the Wake Forest game that he was going to start, and he was still the best player on the floor by a wide margin.
The Wolfpack can turn Cuse over, and they won't give it away themselves, as the Orange don't force turnovers at a high rate.
NC State can absolutely cook Syracuse in transition, too, as it's elite in that area while Syracuse's transition defense is really poor.
Also, NC State has the advantage in the pick-and-roll in the half-court.
Both teams take a ton of mid-range shots, but NC State is much better defending that department (11th, per Haslametrics).
NC State has been pretty unlucky with perimeter shooting on both ends — teams are shooting over 38% against it from 3 since Jan. 1.
The Wolfpack do a good job of taking away the 3, though. Syracuse is shooting 38% from downtown over its past 10 games, but it's under 33% on the season, so I wouldn't be surprised if we get some good 3-point variance NC State's way.
It's good matchup for the Pack, and as I mentioned previously, I think NC State might be a bit undervalued now with its ideal group on the floor.
I'm all the way out on this Syracuse team, as it hasn't beaten anyone. Over the past month, the Orange topped Boston College in triple overtime at home and Cal without its leading scorer. In ACC play, they've beaten Boston College (x2), Cal, Notre Dame and Georgia Tech.
Give me NC State.
