The Wofford Terriers (4-3) look to snap the five-game winning streak of North Carolina when they travel to Dean E. Smith Center to square off against the No. 5 Tar Heels (10-1). North Carolina opened as a 24.5-point favorite, while the games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 152.5 points. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 20, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPN2.
Wofford Terriers at North Carolina Tar Heels Free Preview
The Terriers were victorious over the High Point Panthers in their last matchup, 70-57. Fletcher Magee was the games leading scorer with 27 points on 7-for-13 shooting. Wofford dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.7 (above their season average of 19.2) and a turnover percentage of 15.7 (better than their season average of 18.7). High Point had marks of 0.0 and 16.3, respectively, for those same stats.
In the Tar Heels last matchup, they beat the No. 20 Tennessee Volunteers, 78-73. North Carolina was lifted by Joel Berry II, who was the top scorer from either team with 21 points on 7-for-19 shooting. The Tar Heels had a phenomenal offensive rebounding percentage of 47.5 (above their season average of 36.6) and held the Volunteers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.440 (below their season average of 0.525).
The productive offense of North Carolina will square off against the porous defense of Wofford. Dating back to last season, the Tar Heels rank 38th in offensive efficiency, while the Terriers are 283rd in defensive efficiency. The Tar Heels should have the advantage on that side of the ball.
These two teams are complete opposites in terms of the O/U total. Games involving Wofford have gone under 60.0 percent of the time, while North Carolina games have finished over 60.0 percent of the time. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Tar Heels have a clear advantage. They are 10-1 SU and 7-3 ATS, while the Terriers are 4-3 SU and 2-3 ATS.
Wofford Terriers at North Carolina Tar Heels Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – North Carolina, ATS Winner – Wofford, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Tar Heels rank 43rd in blocks per game (3.8) while the Terriers rank 179th (2.0).
- North Carolina ranks fourth in rebounds per game (43.9) while Wofford ranks 233rd (32.5).
- The Terriers rank 36th in three pointers allowed per game (18.6) while the Tar Heels rank 261st (24.5).
- Wofford averages 16.3 assists per game, which ranks 45th in the nation. North Carolina ranks 190th in assists allowed per game (12.3).
