Harvard vs. North Carolina Prediction
Is No. 15 North Carolina giving up too many points at home when the Tar Heels take on Harvard tonight at 7PM ET?
787 Harvard vs. 788 North Carolina
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
7PM ET – Dean E. Smith Center
TV: ESPN2
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, North Carolina is the clear favorite in this game, as the Tar Heels are getting odds of -16.5 points against Harvard. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 156.5 points. The public betting currently has 69 percent going on the Tar Heels at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Harvard with back-to-back wins
Harvard is coming into tonight with back-to-back wins following a 71-67 win over Mercer on Dec. 29. However, the Crimson have failed to cover the spread in four straight. Harvard is 6-5 on the season, 2-4 on the road, 5-5 against the spread and 8-2 with the over.
The Crimson don’t have much to offer on offense this season, as they are putting up just 70.5 points per game. However, they do shoot the ball well, making 48.6 percent of their shots and 36.6 percent of their 3-point attempts. Defensively, Harvard gives up 68.3 points per game while allowing opponents to shoot 35 percent from the arc. Chris Lewis has been leading the team with 13.4 points per game while Justin Bassey adds 10.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
Carolina rolls Davison
North Carolina is coming off an 82-60 win over Davison on Dec. 29, which allowed the Heels to bounce back from an 80-72 loss to Kentucky. Carolina is 9-3 on the season, 6-0 at home, 6-4-2 against the spread and 8-4 with the over.
The Tar Heels are one of the top offenses in the country, averaging an impressive 91.4 points per game while shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from the arc. They also rank third nationally in rebounding at 45.2 per game. Defensively, UNC allows 74.4 points per game. Cameron Johnson is leading the team with 16.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while Luke Maye is putting up 14.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per contest.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Harvard
Harvard has failed to cover in four straight non-conference games, but is 9-3 against the spread in its last 12 against ACC opponents.
North Carolina
North Carolina is 1-4 against the spread in their last five games following a win and 1-3-2 ATS in their last six Wednesday games.
Prediction:
UNC has a big spread to cover tonight, but the Tar Heels clearly have the athletes to do it. Harvard likes to slow tempo, but UNC won’t allow that to happen. UNC is bigger and faster. The Crimson won’t be able to match UNC’s scoring once the Tar Heels get moving. UNC has a questionable defense, but only because of the speed the team plays at. It has faced much better offenses than what Harvard has to offer. I like the Heels to roll on.
College Basketball Prediction: North Carolina -16.5