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.
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