The North Carolina Tar Heels (6-2) square off with the Virginia Cavaliers (7-1) in the ACC opener for both at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Va., Sunday at 4 p.m. ET. We analyze the North Carolina-Virginia odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.
The Cavaliers are ranked second in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll. The Tar Heels are No. 7.
North Carolina at Virginia: Three things you need to know
1. UNC is looking to bounce back after taking it on the chin Wednesday at the Smith Center, falling to No. 6 Ohio State 74-49.
2. The Tar Heels are 1-6 ATS across the past seven games overall, and 1-4 ATS in the past five on the road.
3. Virginia is 0-6 ATS in the past six games overall, and 0-4 ATS in the past four against winning teams. Something’s gotta give in this one.
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North Carolina at Virginia: Odds, betting lines and picks
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Virginia 64, North Carolina 61
Moneyline (ML)
Virginia (-250) is a little steep on the moneyline, and North Carolina (+200) cannot be trusted after their showing Wednesday. Plus, UNC will be without super frosh F Armando Bacot (ankle), as he is expected to be out indefinitely.
Against the Spread (ATS)
NORTH CAROLINA (+3.5, +115) will be catching a few points in this one, and even though it’s shorthanded, it will be able to keep Virginia within arm’s length. The Cavaliers (-3.5, -139) don’t blow anyone out, and they play a slow, deliberate style which keeps the opposition in it even when they’re not playing their best. Take UNC and the points.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on UNC to win by at least four points returns a profit of $9.09.
Over/Under (O/U)
PASS. The O/U 115.5 (+115, -139) is so low based on Virginia’s deliberate style. The Under is 4-0 in UNC’s past four on the road, and 25-9 in the past 34 overall. For UVA, the Under is 6-2 in the past eight overall, and 7-3 in the past 10 at JPJ. If there is a slight lean on the total, it’s to the ‘Over.’
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