No. 1 Texas (33-4) will take on No. 3 NC State (30-6) for the right to advance to the Final Four this Sunday, March 31, at 3 p.m. ET.
The Longhorns have rolled through each of their opponents thus far, including a commanding 69-47 victory over No. 4 Gonzaga in the Sweet 16. Meanwhile, the Wolfpack are fresh off a 77-67 upset of No. 2 Stanford, which entered the NCAA Tournament as one of the title favorites.
Can NC State keep its run alive against Texas? Find out in our best bets and predictions for this Elite 8 showdown.
Texas vs NC State Odds
All NCAAW odds are current as of Saturday, March 30, at 11 a.m. ET.
- Spread: Texas -5 (-110) • NC State +5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Texas (-225) • NC State (+185)
- Total: Over 136.5 (-110) • Under 136.5 (-110)
As one of the top teams in the nation, it’s no surprise to see Texas enter this matchup as 5-point favorites over NC State. The Longhorns possess a top-10 offense and defense and were tested in a brutal Big 12 Conference.
The total comes in at 136.5 points, which is only a touch higher than the 135-point mark set for Sunday afternoon’s bout between South Carolina and Oregon State.
Texas vs NC State Prediction
Texas 74, NC State 66
What makes this Texas team special is their collective experience. Nearly 90% of last year’s scoring is returned on this roster, yet the team is still led by freshman forward Madison Booker, who has averaged 16.5 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.9 rebounds in 30.6 minutes per game.
NC State’s frontcourt defense will also be tested. The Longhorns make more two-pointers per game than any other team in the country, while the Wolfpack have limited opponents to just 39.3% shooting inside the arc — the 11th-best mark in college basketball.
- See the top North Carolina sportsbook promotions for South Carolina vs Oregon State.
Ultimately, this game may be decided by who wins the battle on the glass. Texas allows the fifth-fewest rebounds per game, but NC State collects the 12th-most, and the latter has been especially great at limiting second-chance opportunities.
With that in mind, I lean toward the Longhorns. Their superior size and experience will make them a force to be reckoned with in the paint, and if they do need to step out to the perimeter, they have reliable options in Shay Holle and Shaylee Gonzales.
Texas vs NC State Best Bets
Texas -5 (-110) vs NC State
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Generally speaking, Texas either wins big or loses by a small margin. Its most lopsided defeat came by six points, and only three of its wins were decided by less than 10.
In that case, your best bets are to either take the Wolfpack outright or back the Longhorns to cover the spread, and I’m going with the latter. This team knows exactly how they want to play, and I don’t believe NC State is disruptive enough to throw them off.
Look for Texas to advance to the Final Four and make this your best college basketball bet today.
Over 136.5 Points (-110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Longhorns’ consistency inside the arc and ability to get to the free throw line are big reasons why I favor the Over at 136.5 points. They almost exclusively take high-percentage shots, and that’s not likely to change against NC State.
