The James Madison Dukes (4-0) take on the No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels (3-0) Sunday. Tip-off from Dean E. Smith Center is at noon ET (ACC Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the James Madison vs. North Carolina odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
While the Dukes are 4-0, none of these games have come against an opponent the likes of the Tar Heels. James Madison currently sports a bloated 105.3 points per game average — 2nd in the nation. The top-ranked Tar Heels rank 88th with 81 points per game.
The Dukes are 1 in the country with a 48.5-point average margin of victory compared to an 11.7-point margin for North Carolina.
James Madison has started the season hot. North Carolina, despite being undefeated and ranked no. 1, has been a bit shaky.
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James Madison 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 8:41 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): James Madison +475 (bet $100 to win $475) | North Carolina -750 (bet $750 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): James Madison +11.5 (-110) | North Carolina -11.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 157.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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James Madison at North Carolina picks and predictions
Prediction
North Carolina 82, James Madison 75
Moneyline
PASS.
North Carolina (-750) is the right side, but the number is far too large to make a standalone wager on. If you really think North Carolina is shaky then James Madison (+475) is interesting, but it is not likely to win and is probably not worth it.
Against the spread
BET JAMES MADISON +11.5 (-110).
North Carolina has been shaky early in the year and is 0-3 ATS despite being undefeated and ranked No. 1. This is likely to continue Sunday against a Dukes team who can score in bunches. JAMES MADISON +11.5 (-110) is my favorite play.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 157.5 (-110).
The Dukes can score, as noted above, and UNC is scoring more than 80 points per game. While these numbers tend to lean Over, James Madison will come across a defense in North Carolina unlikely any it has seen so far this season. Another 100-point showing is not in the cards for the Dukes as North Carolina would like to keep this game in the 70s. My feeling is this will happen. So although it is only a slight lean, I like the UNDER 157.5 (-110).
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