Kentucky vs. North Carolina Prediction
The final ticket to the Final Four will be punched today at 5:05PM ET when No. 1 North Carolina takes on No. 2 Kentucky in the South Regional Final.
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, North Carolina is favored in this game, as the Tar Heels are getting odds of -2.5 points against Kentucky. The over/under total is listed at 159 points. These two met back on Dec. 17 with Kentucky getting a 103-100 win as a 1-point favorite. This game takes place in the South Region and will air on CBS from FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.
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North Carolina is coming off a 92-80 win over Butler on Friday to improve to 30-7 on the season. The Tar Heels have covered in two of their three NCAA Tournament games. UNC is 18-15-2 against the spread on the season, but just 3-3-1 ATS in their last seven. The Heels average 84.7 points per game on offense while allowing 70.8 on defense. Justin Jackson has been leading this team with 18.2 points per game while Kennedy Meeks is adding 12.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.
Kentucky is now on a 14-game win streak following an impressive 86-75 win over UCLA on Friday night. The Wildcats are now 32-5 on the season while putting up a 19-17-1 record against the spread. Kentucky is now averaging 85.2 points per game on offense while allowing 71.4 on defense. Malik Monk is leading the team with 20.1 points per game while De’Aaron Fox is adding 16.8 per game.
Kentucky is playing extremely well right now, seemingly hitting their peak at the right moment. The Wildcats were able to hold the Bruins in check, which is not something easy to do. Kentucky’s defense has been impressive as well, which will be the key to today’s game against the Tar Heels. UNC has the offensive weapons to keep up with Kentucky, but the difference will be defense. UNC has allowed 80 points to Butler and 93 to Duke over the month of March. They also have had the occasional letdown on offense, which could take place against this aggressive Kentucky defense.
MARCH MADNESS PREDICTION: KENTUCKY +2.5