James Madison vs. N. Carolina Prediction
Unranked James Madison travels to Chapel Hill to face #1 North Carolina at 12:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. Can the Tar Heels cover the 11.5-point spread as home favorites?
James Madison went 15-14 last season. This year, they’re 4-0 with their best wins coming against Buffalo and Howard. The Dukes will look to remain unbeaten on Sunday. The Dukes are 3-0 against the spread this year.
North Carolina went 29-10 last season and lost the NCAA Tournament Championship Game. The Tar Heels are 3-0 this season with their best wins coming over UNC-Wilmington and Gardner-Webb. They will try to keep their winning streak alive Sunday. The Tar Heels are 0-3 against the spread this year.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
667 James Madison Dukes (+11.5) vs. 668 North Carolina Tar Heels (-11.5); O/U 157.5
12:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, November 20, 2022
Dean E. Smith Center, Chapel Hill, NC
James Madison vs. North Carolina Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that the public favors the Dukes in this game. Our public betting data illustrates that 58% of public bettors are on James Madison +11.5. Do note that those numbers are subject to change and could be different once tipoff rolls around, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
James Madison Game Notes
James Madison has a dynamic group of backcourt players. The Dukes have four guards that are averaging over 12 points a game and are shooting over 47% from the three-point line on the year. Their scoring leader is 6’0” senior guard Vado Morse. Morse is averaging 15.8 points per game. Vado Morse is also tied for the team lead in assists per game (3.8) and steals per game (1.8).
James Madison’s leading rebounder is junior guard Noah Freidel. Freidel is pulling down 5.8 rebounds per contest for the Dukes this year. The 6’4” native of Tea, South Dakota can do more than crash the boards though. Noah Freidel is second on James Madison in three-pointers made this season with 9, and he’s making them at an efficient 47.4% clip. Both Vado Morse and Noah Freidel will have to play well for the Dukes to cover the number on Sunday.
North Carolina Game Notes
North Carolina returns two of their best players from their run to the NCAA title game last season in guard Caleb Love and forward Armando Bacot. Caleb Love had a coming-out party in the NCAA Tournament last year and hasn’t shown any signs of regression this season. Love is leading the Tar Heels in scoring at 20.7 points per game, ranks second on the club with 5.7 rebounds per game, and is leading the team in assists with 3.3 per game. Love is shooting only 45.7% from the field and 19% from three-point range this year, which could be something to monitor going forward.
North Carolina senior forward Armando Bacot is as steady as they come for the Tar Heels. Bacot is averaging 18 points and 8 rebounds on 53.1% shooting from the field in 2022. He should be in the mix for All-ACC and All-American honors before the season is through. Bacot will likely need to control the paint if North Carolina is going to cover this game.
James Madison vs. North Carolina CBB Betting Trends
James Madison is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following an outright win.
James Madison is 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games following an outright win of more than 20 points.
James Madison is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
James Madison is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
James Madison vs. North Carolina CBB Prediction:
Not enough people are talking about James Madison basketball to start the season. The Dukes are averaging 99.3 points per game, a figure which ranks second in the nation. They are also third in the country with an average scoring margin of +36.3 points per game. If all that wasn’t enough James Madison is also second in the country in effective field goal percentage (66.1%) and third in three-point field goal percentage (50.8%). The Dukes can flat-out shoot and score, and I think they’ll do enough of both to cover the number on Sunday.
CBB BETTING PREDICTION: JAMES MADISON DUKES +11.5
