The North Carolina Tar Heels (14-6, 6-3 ACC) battle the Syracuse Orange (13-7, 6-3) Tuesday. Tip from JMA Wireless Dome is set for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the North Carolina vs. Syracuse odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Tar Heels beat NC State 80-69 Saturday as a 6.5-point home favorite formits 3rd straight win. North Carolina is 5-5 against the spread (ATS) in its last 10 games and 7-12-1 ATS on the season. The Tar Heels’ offense ranks 31st in the nation in points per game (79.6).
The Orange beat Georgia Tech 80-63 Saturday as 3-point road favorites. Syracuse is 11-9 ATS this season and has covered 4 of its last 5 games. Its offense ranks 96th in the nation in points per game (75.6).
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North Carolina at Syracuse odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): North Carolina -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Syracuse +150 (bet $100 to win $150)
- Against the spread (ATS): North Carolina -4.5 (-105) | Syracuse +4.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 149.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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North Carolina at Syracuse picks and predictions
Prediction
Syracuse 81, North Carolina 78
Moneyline
PASS.
The Orange are 9-3 at home, and the Tar Heels are 1-4 on the road. Given the points, I’d rather play the spread, but the moneyline may be worth a sprinkle.
Against the spread
BET SYRACUSE +4.5 (-115).
The Orange, simply put, have been far more truth worthy for bettors this season. They have covered 4 of their last 5 and 6 of their last 9.
They are also 7-4-1 ATS at home. The real catch is their success against conference opponents. Syracuse is 6-2-1 ATS in ACC games while North Carolina is just 4-5 ATS.
Given the Tar Heels are just 1-4 on the road this season and Syracuse has success in conference play and at home, back SYRACUSE +4.5 (-115).
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 149.5 (-115).
The Orange rank 56th in the nation in opponents’ FG percentage (40.9), but it struggles to rebound. That will be exposed against C Armando Bacot. He should abuse them and get easy second-chance opportunities.
The Orange have scored at least 78 in 4 straight games and have gone Over the projected total in their last 8 in a row. North Carolina has gone Under in 4 in a row but went Over in the 6 prior. It is 10-10 O/U this season and plays at an ultra-fast tempo which should aid the Over here.
Ultimately, considering the Orange’s style of defense and the Tar Heels’ strength, back the OVER 149.5 (-115).
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