North Carolina vs. Notre Dame Pick
Will No. 20 North Carolina slip up on the road when it takes on Notre Dame tonight at 6PM ET in ACC action?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, North Carolina is favored on the road tonight, as the Tar Heels are getting odds of -5 points against Notre Dame. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 147.5 points. Tonight’s game takes place from Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana and will air live on ESPN.
Despite a big loss to injury, Notre Dame has won five of its last six. The Irish are coming off a 60-53 loss at Georgia Tech earlier this week. ND is now 13-4 overall, 3-1 in the ACC and 6-7 against the spread. The Irish are averaging 77.9 points per game on offense while allowing 64.4 per game on defense. Over its last five, the Irish are averaging 69.2 on offense while allowing just 55.2 on defense. Bonzie Colson is already out indefinitely with a foot injury. He averaged a double-double of 21.4 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Matt Farrell, who averaging 15.9 points and 5.1 assists per game, is doubtful to play today because of an ankle injury.
North Carolina is coming off a 96-66 win over Boston College this week to snap a two-game losing streak. The Heels are just 3-3 in their last six. UNC is 13-4 overall, 2-2 in the ACC and 9-6-1 against the spread. North Carolina is averaging 83.4 points per game this season while allowing 71.3 per contest. Luke Maye is leading North Carolina with 18.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Joel Berry II is adding 17.6 points per contest.
Bet on North Carolina vs. Notre Dame
North Carolina has won three straight meetings with Notre Dame, covering in two of the three games. I really like the way the Irish have stepped up on defense with Colson out. However, losing Farrell for this game makes it seem like the Irish don’t have a shot. I don’t know who will step up offensively to try and match the scoring ability of UNC. Good defense is great, but the Irish will have to score some points tonight and I don’t think they can. The public betting is heavily with UNC as well.
CBB DAILY PREDICTION: NORTH CAROLINA -5