The Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs (0-2) and the No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels (2-0) meet Monday at Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ACC Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Gardner-Webb vs. North Carolina odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
The Bulldogs nearly pulled off an upset with a 65-63 loss at Colorado State as 7.5-point underdogs Nov. 7. The Dawgs didn’t fare as well at Stephen F. Austin Thursday, losing 86-71 as 5.5-point underdogs as the Over connected.
The top-ranked Tar Heels were a little rusty against UNC Wilmington in the opener, winning just 69-56 on Nov. 7. The offense was much better last time out against Charleston, rolling to a 102-86 victory Friday. However, the Heels are 0-2 ATS so far.
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Gardner-Webb 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 6:35 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Off the board
- Against the spread (ATS): Gardner-Webb +20.5 (-110) | North Carolina -20.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 141.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Gardner-Webb at North Carolina picks and predictions
Prediction
North Carolina 87, Gardner-Webb 61
Moneyline
The moneyline was off the board at the time of publishing.
Against the spread
NORTH CAROLINA -20.5 (-110) and its bettors will hope that the third time is the charm after failing to cover the first 2 outings.
The offense was the problem in the opener against UNCW, while defensive issues emerged against Charleston. Look for the struggling Gardner-Webb offense to have issues against the top-ranked Tar Heels in the raucous Dean Dome.
Over/Under
OVER 141.5 (-110) is worth playing after UNC went for triple digits against Charleston last time out. Gardner-Webb’s offense should struggle here against UNC, but the Tar Heels have the potential to even get into the 90s and flirt with triple digits again.
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