N.C. State Beats Troy; Key Matchups Ahead

N.C. State improved to 4-0 with an 81-62 win over Troy, led by Paul McNeil Jr. with 16 points and Ven-Allen Lubin with 15 points and 12 rebounds; the Wolfpack held Troy to 34% shooting and never trailed. Auburn (5-4) visits Mississippi State seeking bowl eligibility, while the Bulldogs look to end a five-game losing streak that began after quarterback Kamario Taylor’s injury; Auburn’s starts and ability to contain the run are key questions. Troy and South Alabama are both 4-5 and 2-3 in the Sun Belt, needing two wins in their final three games to become bowl-eligible. Troy has won seven of the rivals’ last eight meetings and leads the all-time series 10-4, but both teams are coming off losses and South Alabama is the home favorite.