The No. 15 seed Saint Peter’s Peacocks (22-11) meet the eighth-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels (27-9) Sunday in the Elite Eight of the East Region. Tip from Wells Fargo Center is set for 5:05 p.m. ET (on CBS). Below, we look at the Saint Peter’s vs. North Carolina odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Tar Heels, who were 2.5-point underdogs, defeated fourth-seeded UCLA 73-66 in the Sweet 16 Friday. The experienced Bruins were sent home almost single-handedly by Tar Heels G Caleb Love, who scored 27 of his career-high 30 points in the second half.
Love hit back-to-back 3-pointers late in the game, tying it with 1:44 to go and giving UNC the lead for good at the 1:06 mark, respectively.
North Carolina has covered all 3 of its NCAA Tournament games, including a 7-point overtime win as a 5.5-point underdog vs. top-seeded Baylor. UNC is 19-16-1 against the spread (ATS) this season.
As for the Peacocks, they are the first No. 15 seed to make the Elite Eight. Saint Peter’s upset No. 2 seed Kentucky in overtime by 6 as an 18-point underdog in the first round.
The Peacocks then knocked off No. 7 seed Murray State 70-60 as 8-point dogs before eliminating third-seeded Purdue by 3 as 13-point dogs. Having covered all 3 tourney games, Saint Peter’s improved their ATS record 22-9-1.
For an Elite Eight matchup, it’s interesting that both UNC and Saint Peter’s are not ranked in the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Saint Peter’s vs. North Carolina odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 9:25 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Saint Peter’s +310 (bet $100 to win $310) | North Carolina -410 (bet $410 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Saint Peter’s +8.5 (-115) | North Carolina -8.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 136.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
[tipico]
Saint Peter’s vs. North Carolina odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
North Carolina 72, Saint Peter’s 66
Money line
PASS.
It’s March. At -410, North Carolina is far too expensive. On the flip side, I don’t think the Peacocks’ historic run is going to continue, so I’ll avoid suggesting their +310 money line value.
Against the spread
BET SAINT PETER’S +8.5 (-115).
I’m not predicting the Cinderella run continues, but if there’s something we’ve seen over and over again from the Peacocks, it’s that they’re going to compete.
With Purdue, Saint Peter’s played against a 7-foot-4 big man and two Big Ten preseason First Team selections. The Peacocks imposed their will. Against both Murray State and Kentucky, the Saint Peter’s defense hung strong.
KenPom ranks Saint Peter’s defense the 24th-best in the nation. It will be able to tame a dominant North Carolina attack, especially considering the Peacocks are a guard-heavy team.
They do not have a player taller than 6-foot-7 who averages more than 5.0 points per game. That should bode well to slowing down the Tar Heels, given Love carried them this far.
Both teams are 3-0 ATS apiece in this tournament, and the two have combined to be underdogs in five of their six games.
Expect the underdog to again cover the spread.
Over/Under
LEAN to the OVER 136.5 (-108).
North Carolina ranks 36th in adjusted tempo. Purdue, Kentucky and Murray State all ranked under 150 in tempo, so Saint Peter’s hasn’t quite met a team willing to push the pace like the Tar Heels.
UNC is 5-3 O/U in its last eight games; Saint Peter’s is 3-3 O/U in postseason play, including its conference tournament.
While Saint Peter’s does have a strong defense, tempo is going to play a key factor, and I expect the higher seed to play to its style of play.
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