Expect a shootout when the ninth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels (16-4, 6-1 ACC) clash with the 15th-ranked Louisville Cardinals (16-5, 7-1 ACC) at KFC Yum! Center. The game starts at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 2, 2019, and will air on ESPN.
North Carolina Tar Heels at Louisville Cardinals Betting Odds
Both teams had no trouble getting past their last opponent. The Cardinals defeated the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 82-54, while the Tar Heels beat the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 77-54.
North Carolina played a nearly perfect game. They had a great effective field goal percentage of 0.582 (above their season average of 0.537) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 20.0 (below their season average of 35.9). For those same stats, Georgia Tech was 0.367 and 15.8, respectively. The Cardinals, on the other hand, had a ridiculous effective field goal percentage of 0.607 (above their season average of 0.530), while the Demon Deacons had a free throw rate of 0.235 (below their season average of 0.311). Louisville was lifted by Dwayne Sutton, who had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Cameron Johnson was a key piece for North Carolina with 22 points.
In their first matchup this year, Sutton led the Cardinals to an 83-62 victory. He registered a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Louisville was lights out from beyond the arc (11-26; 42.3 percent). North Carolina, meanwhile, did a great job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (19-27; 70.4 percent).
This showdown pits one of the country’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Louisville ranks 28th in offensive efficiency and North Carolina ranks 50th in defensive efficiency. Moreover, the Tar Heels, who rank 28th in offensive rebounding percentage (35.2 percent), will face a tough challenge against the Cardinals, who rank 56th in defensive rebounding percentage (74.8 percent).
North Carolina Tar Heels at Louisville Cardinals Free Pick
Free College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Louisville, ATS Winner – North Carolina, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Louisville ranks 81st in three pointers allowed per game (20.9) while North Carolina ranks 234th (25.5).
- The Tar Heels average 43.4 rebounds per game, which ranks second in the nation. The Cardinals rank 70th in rebounds allowed per game (33.0).
- Louisville ranks 109th in blocks per game (3.2) while North Carolina ranks 161st in blocks allowed per game (4.5).
- The Tar Heels rank 42nd in steals per game (7.8) while the Cardinals rank 186th (5.2).
- North Carolina ranks second in assists per game (19.8) while Louisville ranks 106th (14.1).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Tar Heels have scored an average of 80.4 points per game (7.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.8 points per game (matching their season average).
- The Cardinals’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 17.6, up from 12.0 for the season.
