The fifth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels (22-5, 12-2 ACC) and their phenomenal offense will be 12-point favorites when they welcome the Syracuse Orange (18-9, 9-5 ACC) and their superb defense. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 147 points and it can be seen on ESPN 3 at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 26, 2019.
Syracuse Orange vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Odds
The Tar Heels had no trouble getting past the 16th-ranked Florida State Seminoles in their last contest, 77-59, comfortably covering as 7-point favorites. The Orange, meanwhile, were topped by the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils, 75-65, and were not able to cover as 5-point underdogs. The North Carolina game finished 25 points under the projected point total of 161, while the Syracuse game finished 4 points under the projected point total of 144.
North Carolina dominated every stat category in the game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 33.3 (below their season average of 35.0) and a free throw rate of 0.295 (above their season average of 0.228). For those same stats, Florida State had marks of 15.0 and 0.220, respectively. Syracuse, meanwhile, had a turnover percentage of 8.2 (better than their season average of 15.9). Cameron Johnson played well for North Carolina, recording 18 points and 10 rebounds. Frank Howard, meanwhile was a key piece for Syracuse with 10 points and six rebounds.
The Tar Heels dominated this series last year, taking both games. In the most recent contest, North Carolina won 78-59. One of North Carolina’s biggest strengths was getting to the free throw line. They made 28 trips to the line, while Syracuse went just 14 times. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Of the Orange’s 27 games, 17 have finished under the O/U total. Syracuse holds records of 18-9 straight up (SU) and 15-12 against the spread (ATS).
Games including the Tar Heels also have typically gone under the total (57.7 percent). Moreover, North Carolina is 22-5 SU and 16-9-1 ATS.
This battle pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. North Carolina currently ranks 24th in offensive efficiency and Syracuse is 35th in defensive efficiency.
Syracuse at North Carolina Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – North Carolina, ATS Winner – North Carolina, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- North Carolina averages 43.0 rebounds per game, which ranks first in the NCAA. Syracuse ranks 229th in rebounds allowed per game (36.7).
- The Orange rank 16th in blocks per game (4.9) while the Tar Heels rank 184th in blocks allowed per game (4.8).
- Syracuse averages 8.0 steals per game, which ranks 23rd in the nation. North Carolina ranks 163rd in steals allowed per game (7.0).
- The Tar Heels average 19.3 assists per game, which ranks third in the NCAA. The Orange rank 213th in assists allowed per game (14.7).
- Syracuse averages 24.1 three pointers per game, which ranks 90th in the nation. North Carolina ranks 261st in three pointers allowed per game (25.9).
- North Carolina is 7-6-1 ATS at home, while Syracuse is 5-4 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 5 of the Orange’s 9 road games, while 7 of the Tar Heels’ 14 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Syracuse and North Carolina have both had 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Tar Heels are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Orange are 2-3.
- The Tar Heels’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 13.4, down from 14.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Orange have scored an average of 64.2 points per game (5.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 66.6 points per game (2.5 above their season average).
