The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-3, 0-0) and the North Carolina Tar Heels (5-4, 0-1) meet Saturday at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Georgia Tech vs. North Carolina odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
The Yellow Jackets posted a 79-77 win over rival Georgia last time out Tuesday, although Georgia Tech filed to cover the 4.5-point number. The Yellow Jackets have alternated no-covers and covers in the past 6 outings. The Over has hit in the past 2 games after a 6-0 Under run to start the season.
The Tar Heels opened the season 5-0 SU, and UNC was ranked No. 1 at one point. UNC lost 70-65 in Portland on a neutral floor against Iowa State Nov. 25, and that kicked off a 4-game losing streak. UNC is also just 1-7-1 ATS in 9 games overall this season.
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Georgia Tech at North Carolina odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Georgia Tech +575 (bet $100 to win $575) | North Carolina -950 (bet $950 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Georgia Tech +13.5 (-115) | North Carolina -13.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 143.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Georgia Tech at North Carolina picks and predictions
Prediction
North Carolina 72, Georgia Tech 68
Moneyline
PASS.
A +575 is enticing for Tech, but UNC should right the ship.
Against the spread
GEORGIA TECH +13.5 (-115) is the play here, as North Carolina -13.5 (-105) has no business laying double digits to anybody with the way its playing right now.
Toss in the fact F Armando Bacot is sidelined indefinitely due to a shoulder injury, and UNC will do well to just snap its 4-game losing streak and get a win by any margin.
Over/Under
UNDER 143.5 (-110) is worth a look, but play it rather lightly.
For Tech, it’s all about the Under lately. The Under has hit in 6 of the past 8 games overall for the Yellow Jackets, while going 4-0 in the past 4 games on the road.
And with UNC, the Under is 4-1 in the past 5 at the Smith Center, while going 4-1 in the past 5 games against teams with a winning overall mark.
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