Tag: North Carolina

Notre Dame Basketball: Irish Close 2019 With Win Over Alabama A&M

As if there was any concern about its final game before the New Year and the rest of its ACC schedule, Notre Dame led wire-to-wire in an 82-56 win over Alabama A&M on Sunday at Purcell Pavilion. Five players scored in double figures for the Irish …

As if there was any concern about its final game before the New Year and the rest of its ACC schedule, Notre Dame led wire-to-wire in an 82-56 win over Alabama A&M on Sunday at Purcell Pavilion. Five players scored in double figures for the Irish (9-4) while the Bulldogs (3-8) never recovered from a first half in which they shot 7 of 36 from the field (19.4 percent).

T.J. Gibbs had a 7-of-10 shooting performance while leading all scorers with 17 points. John Mooney pulled down his latest double-double of 16 points and 18 rebounds. Dane Goodwin scored 12 off the bench, and 11 points each came from Juwan Durham and Prentiss Gibbs. Durham went to the locker room after suffering a sprained left knee on a rebound but returned to the bench before the game was over.

Notre Dame finishes its nonconference schedule at 9-2. The slate that will determine whether it goes dancing in March begins Saturday with a trip to Syracuse. A win would get the Irish back on the right track after earlier ACC losses to North Carolina and Boston College.

Former coach Mack Brown wins bowl game with North Carolina

UNC faced off against the Temple in the Military Bowl. Coached by former UT head coach Mack Brown, they got their first bowl win since 2013.

After 15 seasons as the head coach of the Longhorns, Mack Brown was let go. Taking some time off and working as a studio analyst with ESPN, Brown was out of coaching for five years. He took the North Carolina job at the end of the 2018 season and has turned the program around.

After gaining bowl eligibility and dancing with his team in the locker room, the Tar Heels faced off against the Temple in the Military Bowl. Led by freshman quarterback Sam Howell, UNC demolished the Owls 55-13, getting their first bowl win since 2013.

After two straight seasons of nine losses in 2017 and 2018, Brown has come in and instantly changed the culture at North Carolina. With this being his second stint with the school, they are used to winning with Brown, getting 10 wins three times.

Ending the season at 7-6, the bowl win is the highlight of the Tar Heel season. The second best moment came when they nearly defeated now ACC Champions Clemson, but came up short on a two-point conversion.

UNC will be a dark horse candidate in the ACC next season and they have Mack Brown to thank for that. As Longhorns Wire’s Head Coach of the Decade, watching Brown succeed is always good to see.

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Military Bowl: North Carolina vs. Temple odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Military Bowl between the North Carolina Tar Heels and Temple Owls, with betting odds, picks, tips and best bets.

The North Carolina Tar Heels (6-6) and Temple Owls (8-4) do battle at the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman Friday. Kickoff at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. is set for 12 p.m. ET. We analyze the North Carolina-Temple odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

North Carolina vs. Temple: Three things you need to know

1. UNC has a fairly extensive bowl history dating back to the 1947 Sugar Bowl. The Tar Heels made four bowl appearances under head coach Mack Brown in his first tenure in Chapel Hill, going 3-1 from 1993-1997. The last time they faced an AAC team in a bowl game they dusted Cincinnati 39-17 at the Belk Bowl Dec. 28, 2013.

2. Temple will be appearing in its ninth-ever bowl game, posting a 3-5 straight-up record in its previous eight postseason showings. The Owls fell to Duke by a 56-27 score in the Independence Bowl last season. They spanked Florida International 28-3 in the Gasparilla Bowl the previous year, and this is the fifth straight year the Owls have appeared in a bowl, going 1-3 SU in the previous four.

3. Temple didn’t play in Annapolis this season, but it won at Navy by a 24-17 score Oct. 13, 2018, and the Owls have won and covered in each of their past two games at NMCMS, albeit vs. Navy. Still, they’re comfortable here.

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North Carolina vs. Temple: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 2:45 p.m. ET.

Prediction

North Carolina 33, Temple 27

Moneyline (ML)

North Carolina (-200) was rolling offensively down the stretch, including a total of 97 in its final two games against FCS Mercer and rival North Carolina State. Still, a 2-to-1 investment on the moneyline isn’t a good idea. PASS and bet the spread instead.

Against the Spread (ATS)

NORTH CAROLINA (-4.5, -110) is in line for a cover. The Tar Heels have scored 27 or more points in four straight games, and in six of their past seven, and they’re rolling offensively. Defensively, they allowed just 17 points in the final two outings.

Temple (+4.5, -110) has had success in Annapolis before, yes, but the Owls haven’t faced a Power 5 team like UNC there before. The Owls were a lot more prolific offensively when they were at home. On the road, they averaged just 20.0 points per game in five games while posting 32.7 PPG in seven home contests.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 52.5 (-115) is a nice play in this one. The Over is 8-3 in UNC’s past 11 against winning teams, and 5-2 in Temple’s past seven showings at a neutral site.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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North Carolina at Gonzaga odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s North Carolina Tar Heels at Gonzaga Bulldogs betting odds and lines, with NCAA basketball betting picks and tips.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs (11-1, 0-0 WCC) and North Carolina Tar Heels (6-4, 1-1 ACC) battle at McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Wash. at 9 p.m. ET. We analyze the North Carolina-Gonzaga odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

North Carolina at Gonzaga: Three things you need to know

1. The Tar Heels are injury ravaged, as all kinds of key personnel are fighting through injury to play or they’re sidelined. Star Cole Anthony (knee) will miss at least four weeks due to arthroscopic knee surgery, while G Leaky Black (foot) is battling through a sprained right foot.

2. UNC is on a three-game winning streak in this series, going 3-1 all-time vs. Gonzaga.

3. Gonzaga enters as the much healthier team. F Filip Petrusev leads the team with 15.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots per game.

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North Carolina at Gonzaga: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:00 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Gonzaga 84, North Carolina 63

Moneyline (ML)

Gonzaga (-667) is an overwhelming favorite to beat the banged-up and struggling visitors from North Carolina (+475), but you can’t risk nearly seven times the return. Look to the spread instead.

A $10 bet on the Bulldogs to win outright would return a profit of just $1.50.

Against the Spread (ATS)

GONZAGA (-10.5, -134) remembers the 103-90 beating it took against North Carolina (+10.5, +110) the last time these teams faced. The Bulldogs are not going to feel sorry for UNC’s injury woes and poor shooting from the perimeter. Look for the Bulldogs to house the Tar Heels in this one.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 145.5 (-106) is a nice small-unit play, especially as part of a parlay. The only concern with the Over is whether or not the Tar Heels can generate enough offense in a potential blowout. They rank 310th in the nation in 3-point shooting, and that’s a huge concern.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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North Carolina at Virginia odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s North Carolina Tar Heels at Virginia Cavaliers college basketball matchup, with NCAA basketball betting odds, picks and best bets

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.’

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Ohio State at North Carolina odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Ohio State Buckeyes at North Carolina Tar Heels college basketball matchup, with NCAA basketball betting odds, picks and best bets

The Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0) will tussle with the North Carolina Tar Heels (6-1) at the Dean E. Smith Center at 9:30 p.m. ET Wednesday in a battle between top 10 squads in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. We analyze the Ohio State-North Carolina odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

The Buckeyes are ranked sixth in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll. The Tar Heels are No. 7.

Ohio State at North Carolina: Three things you need to know

1. Ohio State F Kaleb Wesson has been a one-man wrecking crew for the Buckeyes, leading the team in points (12.7), rebounds (9.3) and blocked shots (1.7).

2. The Buckeyes football team is known for its stingy defense, but the basketball team is making headlines in the category, too. The hoopsters are No. 2 overall in scoring defense (52.7 points), while also checking in second in field-goal percentage defense (32.7 percent).

3. North Carolina has won 12 of 14 all-time meetings in this series, including an 86-72 win in the Dean Dome back in 2017.

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Ohio State at North Carolina: 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

North Carolina 76, Ohio State 69

Moneyline (ML)

NORTH CAROLINA (-189) will cost you more than against the spread, but it could be a tight game and the extra insurance might be worth it. Ohio State (+155) is battle-tested, having scored impressive wins over Cincinnati and Villanova, but a win in Chapel Hill is a pretty tall order.

Against the Spread (ATS)

NORTH CAROLINA (-3.5, -110) won’t blow the doors off Ohio State (+3.5, -110) as the Buckeyes won’t be intimidated by the environment. But UNC will be the most complete team OSU faces to date. Freshman F Armando Bacot is a handful, posting double-doubles in four of his first five games, and he’ll give Ohio State fits.

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)

OVER 135.5 (-161) is the play, as this one should sneak into the lower 140’s with a series of late fouls and free throws, helping to inch the game over the line. The Over is 4-1 in the past five meetings in this series, too.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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WATCH: Former Longhorn Mack Brown celebrates after gaining bowl eligibly

UNC defeated arch-rival NC St. gaining bowl eligibility in Mack Brown’s first season. He celebrated with the team in the locker room.

When Texas fired Mack Brown in 2013, he was just four years removed from winning the Big 12 and making a national championship appearance. In those four years, he never got back to double-digit wins, with his best record being 9-4. After being fired, Brown took some time to work in the media, working with ESPN as a studio analyst.

Five years after being let go from Texas, Brown was hired by the school where he started his Power 5 head coaching career, North Carolina. He inherited a mess, with the program losing nine games two years in a row. Brown had three 10 win seasons while at UNC, but they had only had one since he left in 1998.

The Tarheels defeated in-state arch-rival North Carolina State 41-10 on Saturday, gaining bowl eligibility in Brown’s first season as the head coach. He rightfully celebrated with the team in the locker room after the game.

With North Carolina being bowl eligible, people have started to wonder if they could match up with Texas in the Camping World Bowl. Even Camping World’s CEO Marcus Lemonis said it would be a good game.

If the Tar Heels and Longhorns were to meet in the Camping World Bowl, not only would there be a reunion with Mack Brown, but it would be the first time the schools have met since 2002. Brown has turned the UNC football program around and has a chance to become a consistently good team in the ACC.

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N.C. high school forced to forfeit football wins, miss playoff because of ineligible player

A North Carolina high school football program was awakened from dreamland Wednesday when it was informed that the best season in school history is now finishing before the start of the playoffs. 

A North Carolina high school football program was awakened from dreamland Wednesday when it was informed that the best season in school history is now finishing before the start of the playoffs.

Holly Springs (N.C.) High School finished the 2019 regular season with a 10-1 record, 5-1 in the competitive South Wake Athletic Conference. Now two of those contests have been ruled forfeits because of the use of an ineligible player, per North Carolina prep sports site HighSchoolOT.com.

The NCHSAA decided that Holly Springs will have to forfeit two games in which the ineligible player played, pay a $250 fine, and relinquish its spot in the 4AA state playoffs.

Slated as the No. 3 seed in the 4AA state playoffs, Holly Springs was to rest this weekend on one of the playoffs’ first round byes. Instead, the team will sit home and watch opposing teams compete, particularly No. 6 seed Garner and No. 11 seed, who are suddenly playing not only to win a tournament game, but also to earn a bye straight through to the third round, with the second round now passed over with Holly Springs’ withdrawal.

Here’s more specifics on Holly Spring’s heartbreaking forfeits, as outlined by HighSchoolOT.com:

Holly Springs will forfeit its Week 11 and Week 12 wins against Apex and Hillside. The forfeits will drop Holly Springs’ record to 8-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play, meaning the Golden Hawks will finish second in the SWAC, bumping Garner up to the first place spot.

More importantly, Holly Springs is missing out, thanks to one player and two weeks that now stand as the pair that kept Holly Springs from from playoffs and the potential for ultimate high school glory.