The North Carolina Tar Heels (9-4, 1-1 ACC) visit the Pittsburgh Panthers (9-4, 2-0) Friday. Tip from Petersen Events Center is set for noon ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the North Carolina vs. Pittsburgh odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
North Carolina beat Michigan 80-76 on a neutral court Dec. 21 but failed to cover as 5-point favorites. The Tar Heels are 4-8-1 against the spread (ATS) but have covered 3 of their last 4 games. Returning many players from their championship-winning roster a season ago, the expectations have not met the reality. North Carolina is 0-2 straight up in true road games.
Pittsburgh is 6-1 straight up at home. The Panthers are coming off an 84-82 win over Syracuse, covering as 3.5-point road underdogs. The Panthers have an impressive 9-3-1 ATS record and have covered 8 games in a row. Pittsburgh has seen success behind a defense that ranks 73rd in opponents’ field goal percentage (40.5%) and 43rd in opponents’ three-point field goal percentage (29.1%).
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North Carolina at Pittsburgh odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): North Carolina -290 (bet $290 to win $100) | Pittsburgh +210 (bet $100 to win $210)
- Against the spread (ATS): North Carolina -6.5 (-110) | Pittsburgh +6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 149.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
North Carolina at Pittsburgh picks and predictions
Prediction
North Carolina 79, Pittsburgh 73
Moneyline
PASS.
There’s no value betting on North Carolina (-290) here. However, while I do like Pittsburgh (+210) to cover I wouldn’t play their moneyline despite that the payout for a team that is 6-1 straight up at home is enticing.
Against the spread
LEAN PITTSBURGH +6.5 (-110).
Pittsburgh is 6-1 straight up at home while UNC is 0-2 straight up on the road. The season-long ATS records point to Pitt as well with it being 9-3-1 which compares favorably to UNC’s 4-8-1.
UNC lost to Virginia Tech and Indiana on the road in its last 6 games, so I wouldn’t trust the Tar Heels to get things done as they haven’t proven they can away from the Dean Smith Center.
Over/Under
BET OVER 149.5 (-110).
UNC has gone Over in 3 straight games and scored 75 or more in 5 straight, including 80 or more in its last 3. It is 7-6 O/U this season and ranks 30th in points per game (81.5).
Pittsburgh has gone Over in 3 of its last 4 games and is 8-5 O/U this season. They have also scored at least 80 in their last 3 games.
This should be a high-tempo game with plenty of talented scorers taking the court. Back the OVER 149.5 (-110).
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