In Tuesday’s action the North Carolina Tar Heels (6-4, 1-2 ACC) face the Miami Hurricanes (4-4, 0-3) for an 8 p.m. ET tip at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Fla.
Below, we analyze the North Carolina-Miami college basketball betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
North Carolina at Miami: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:28 a.m. ET.
- Money line: North Carolina -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Miami +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Against the spread/ATS: North Carolina -2.5 (-110) | Miami +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 140.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
North Carolina at Miami: Three things to know
- The Tar Heels eased past Notre Dame Saturday, winning 66-65 in a thriller at home, although they obviously didn’t come close to covering a 9-point number. While they snapped a two-game losing skid, they’re 0-3 ATS across the past three, and 1-6 ATS over the previous seven outings.
- North Carolina is averaging just 72.8 points per game, and it’s hitting just 42.6% from the field and a dismal 28.7% from behind the 3-point line. The Heels have struggled from the charity stripe, too, hitting only 67.1% from the free-throw line. The defense has saved them, however, as they’re allowing just 68.2 PPG.
- The Hurricanes were edged 66-65 at home by Clemson Saturday, losing for the second straight game, and for the fourth time in the past five outings. The Over has connected in three in a row for the ‘Canes.
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North Carolina at Miami: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
North Carolina 72, Miami 68
Money line (ML)
NORTH CAROLINA (-150) is a safe play on the road against one of the worst teams in the ACC. The Tar Heels have had some issues on offense, and they have just three scorers averaging double digits in F Armando Bacot, F Garrison Brooks and G Caleb Love. However, G Kerwin Walton has stepped up and provided a tertiary scoring option off the bench lately, something head coach Roy Williams has been searching for all season.
Against the spread (ATS)
NORTH CAROLINA -2.5 (-110) isn’t nearly as good of a play as the money line, but as long as this line remains under two buckets it is worth a small-unit wager. The Heels are just 1-3-1 ATS across their past five road outings, and 5-14-1 ATS in the previous 20 following a straight-up win dating back to last season. However, the road team has cashed in the past five meetings in this series, and this game represents a good chance for UNC to get well and take advantage of a cellar dweller, gaining some much-needed confidence.
Over/Under (O/U)
O/U 140.5 (-110) is going to be too close to call here. In fact, I think the oddsmakers have it just right. If there is a lean, it is slightly to the Under. The Under is 20-8 in UNC’s past 28 road games, and 10-2 in its past 12 dating back to last season. The Under is 7-3 in Miami’s past 10 at Watsco since last season, too. PASS.
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