The ACC/SEC Challenge pairs the two power conferences against each other with several intriguing contests, including one between coaches in their first year at their respective schools.
Will Wade made the move back to power conference basketball in the offseason after a successful stint at McNeese State, building his team through the portal with marquee names such as Darrion Williams. The Wolfpack have struggled to gel early, posting a 1-2 record at the three-day Maui Invitational.
Auburn had an up-and-down showing at the Players’ Era Festival in Las Vegas, winning games against Oregon and St. John’s that sandwiched a 30-point loss to Michigan. Steven Pearl hopes the win over the Johnnies carries the Tigers through a 17-day stretch that includes games against N.C. State, Arizona and Purdue.
N.C. State vs. Auburn: When and Where
Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 9 p.m. ET
Location: Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala
N.C. State vs. Auburn: Where to Watch or Stream
Watch: ESPN
Streaming: YouTube TV
N.C. State vs. Auburn: Betting Odds
Spread: Auburn Tigers -5.5, NC State Wolf Pack +5.5
Moneyline: Auburn Tigers -250, NC State Wolf Pack +210
Total: 166.5
N.C. State vs. Auburn: Series History
All time series: N.C. State leads 4-2
Last meeting: Auburn 79, N.C. State 73 (December 13, 2019)
Projected Starting Lineups
N.C. State
Darrion Williams (18.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg)
Paul McNeil (14.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg)
Quadir Copeland (13.6 ppg, 4.7 apg)
Ven-Allen Lubin (12.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg)
Tre Holloman (11.1 ppg, 2.3 apg)
Auburn
Keyshawn Hall (20.9 ppg, 9.0 rpg)
Tahaad Pettiford (15.1 ppg, 3.0 apg)
KeShawn Murphy (11.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg)
Kevin Overton (9.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg)
Elyjah Freeman (8.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
Both offenses have reason to believe they can attack their opponent’s weaknesses. Auburn relentlessly attacks the rim and gets to the free throw line, while N.C. State struggles to defend without fouling. On the other end, the Wolfpack shot over 42 percent from deep, which is an area the Tigers have struggled to defend early on.
Pettiford had his best two games of the season at the Players’ Era Festival, scoring 24 or more points in each of Auburn’s two wins. Even in defeat, the sophomore guard connected on 4-of-6 shots from beyond the arch. Pettiford returning to the level of play he showcased last year, coupled with Hall, should create one of the nation’s top scoring duos.
N.C. State will hope to bounce back from two losses in three days in Hawaii. Williams had a tough time on the island, failing to score more than 16 points in any of the three games. The Wolfpack do not have an established second star behind Williams, so getting the big man going will be key. The defense has to improve before N.C. State begins conference play at the end of the month.
Can Steven Pearl pick up an impressive win in front of the home crowd or will N.C. State bounce back from its shaky holiday tournament showing?