North Carolina vs. Ohio State Prediction
Unranked North Carolina and #23 Ohio State both travel to New York City to face each other at 3:00 PM ET Saturday afternoon. Can the Buckeyes cover the 1.5-point spread as neutral site underdogs?
North Carolina is 7-4 on the year with their best wins coming over Portland and Georgia Tech. Their worst losses came against Iowa State and Virginia Tech. The Tar Heels are 3-7-1 against the spread this season.
Ohio State is 7-2 this season with their best wins coming over Cincinnati and Texas Tech. Their only losses came against San Diego State and Duke. The Buckeyes are 4-5 against the spread this year.
Game Matchup and Betting Odds
644 North Carolina Tar Heels (-1.5) vs. 643 Ohio State Buckeyes (+1.5); O/U 151.5
3:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 17, 2022
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
North Carolina vs. Ohio State Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that the public is split in this contest. Our public betting data illustrates that 50% of public bets are on North Carolina -1.5. Do note that these 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.
North Carolina Game Notes
North Carolina big man Armando Bacot is averaging a double-double on the season. Bacot is scoring 16.4 points per game and grabbing 11.3 rebounds per game. The latter stat ranks fifth in the country. The Tar Heels will likely look to lean on Bacot because he’s shooting 53.9% from the field while North Carolina is only shooting 45.7% as a team. That figure ranks 98th in the country.
Ohio State Game Notes
Ohio State guard Isaac Likekele is out indefinitely for the Buckeyes due to a personal matter. Likekele is third on the club in minutes played and leads the team in assists per game.
In Likekele’s absence, Ohio State will likely turn to freshman guard Bruce Thornton. Thornton leads the Buckeyes in minutes played per game with 29.0. He’s averaging 9.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 49.2% from the field and 46.7% from beyond the arc this season. Ohio State will need Bruce Thornton and senior guard Sean McNeil to produce against a North Carolina team that has two good guards of their own in Caleb Love and R.J. Davis.
North Carolina vs. Ohio State CBB Betting Trends
North Carolina is 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
North Carolina is 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games against teams with a winning percentage above .600.
Ohio State is 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Ohio State is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 Saturday games.
North Carolina vs. Ohio State CBB Prediction:
North Carolina has really struggled at times this year, as evidenced by the fact that they’ve lost 4 of their last 6 games. The problem is their shooting or lack thereof. The Tar Heels rank 101st in team field goal percentage, 134th in effective field goal percentage, 261st in made three-pointers per game, and 255th in three-point percentage. Their starting guards, Caleb Love and R.J. Davis take the most shots on the team, but they’re only shooting 41.8% and 42% from the field respectively. Ohio State, on the other hand, ranks 4th in the nation in offensive efficiency and 9th in the country in effective possession ratio. I think North Carolina’s offensive struggles continue in Madison Square Garden on Saturday. I’ll take the Buckeyes.
CBB BETTING PREDICTION: OHIO STATE BUCKEYES +1.5
