The eighth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels (21-5, 11-2 ACC) and their outstanding offense host the 16th-ranked Florida State Seminoles (21-5, 9-4 ACC) and their superb defense. Action starts at 3:45 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 23, 2019.
Florida State Seminoles at North Carolina Tar Heels ATS Odds
Both teams were victorious over their last opponent. The Tar Heels defeated the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils 88-72, while the Seminoles beat the Clemson Tigers 77-64.
Florida State dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 29.4 (below their season average of 34.5) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.542 (above their season average of 0.516). For those same stats, Clemson was 19.5 and 0.450, respectively. The Tar Heels, on the other hand, held the Blue Devils to an effective field goal percentage of 0.403 (below their season average of 0.544). The Blue Devils also had a turnover percentage of 19.9 (above their season average of 14.4). North Carolina rallied around Luke Maye, who put up 30 points and 15 rebounds. Mfiondu Kabengele played well for Florida State, putting up 19 points and 11 rebounds.
The Seminoles won the lone game between these two teams last season, 81-80. Florida State’s free throw rate was their largest advantage over North Carolina. The Seminoles had a rate of 0.246, while the Tar Heels posted a mark of 0.091. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
This battle pits one of the country’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses as North Carolina ranks 26th in offensive efficiency and Florida State is 47th in defensive efficiency. Additionally, the Seminoles are among the NCAA’s elite on the offensive backboards, ranking 33rd in offensive rebounding percentage (34.3 percent). The Tar Heels, however, rank 25th at grabbing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 75.8 percent.
Florida State Seminoles at North Carolina Tar Heels Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – North Carolina, ATS Winner – North Carolina, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Florida State ranks 18th in assists allowed per game (10.4) while North Carolina ranks 186th (14.0).
- The Seminoles rank 139th in three pointers allowed per game (22.0) while the Tar Heels rank 259th (25.7).
- North Carolina ranks first in rebounds per game (42.8) while Florida State ranks 69th (37.5).
- The Seminoles rank 36th in steals allowed per game (5.3) while the Tar Heels rank 165th (7.0).
- Florida State ranks 55th in blocks per game (4.1) while North Carolina ranks 181st in blocks allowed per game (4.7).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Tar Heels have scored an average of 89.0 points per game (1.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 75.8 points per game (2.6 above their season average).
- The Seminoles’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 16.0, up from 9.7 for the season.
