College Basketball Predictions: Will Virginia cover vs. North Carolina?
Who will come away with a key ACC win today when No. 8 Virginia plays host to No. 12 North Carolina at 1PM ET? Here’s our College Basketball Predictions for this ACC clash.
ODDS
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Virginia is the favorite at home, as the Cavaliers are getting odds of -5 points against UNC. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 136.5 points. Today’s game takes place from John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia and will air live on ESPN.
NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina is coming off an 81-80 loss at Florida State this week and the Tar Heels have dropped two of their last four. UNC is 12-3 overall, 1-1 in the ACC and 8-5-1 against the spread. UNC is just 1-2-1 ATS in its last four. North Carolina is scoring 84.9 points per game this season while allowing 72.3 per contest. Luke Maye is averaging 18.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per game to lead this team while Joel Berry II is adding 17.9 points per game.
VIRGINIA
Virginia is on a five-game win streak right now, including an impressive 78-52 win at Virginia Tech earlier this week. UVA is 13-1 overall, 2-0 in the ACC and 8-3 against the spread. The Cavs are just 2-2 ATS in their last four lined games. Virginia is averaging 71.6 points per game on offense, but holding teams to just 52.7 per game on defense. Kyle Guy is leading Virginia with 15.5 points per game while Devon Hall is adding 11.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per contest.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREDICTIONS
The home team has won four straight meetings in this series, covering the spread in all four games as well. Virginia is a team I have a love/hate relationship with. The Cavs seem to lock in when I pick against them and struggle when I pick with them. Today the Cavs face a UNC team coming off a close loss on the road. As much as I like the UNC offense, their defense concerns me. The Heels will need their defense today because Virginia is certainly going to slow down that offense. I am not sure the Heels can step up on defense like Virginia may be able to on offense. The public betting is nearly split on this game, but I like the Cavs to cover.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREDICTIONS: VIRGINIA -5
