The fifth-ranked Duke Blue Devils (27-5, 15-4 ACC) square off against the third-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels (27-5, 17-2 ACC) in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tourney at Spectrum Center. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, March 15, 2019, and will air on ESPN.
Duke Blue Devils vs. North Carolina Tar Heels ATS Odds
Both teams were victorious over their last opponent. The Tar Heels defeated the Louisville Cardinals 83-70, while the Blue Devils beat the Syracuse Orange 84-72.
Duke played a perfect game. They had a ridiculous offensive rebounding percentage of 41.9 (above their season average of 36.4) and a free throw rate of 0.352 (above their season average of 0.238). For those same stats, Syracuse was 26.5 and 0.250, respectively. The Tar Heels, on the other hand, made 16 of their 21 free throws (76.2 percent) and held the Cardinals to an offensive rebounding percentage of 14.6 (below their season average of 29.8). Coby White played well for North Carolina with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Meanwhile, Zion Williamson had a solid performance for Duke, recording 29 points, 14 rebounds and five steals.
The game should be a battle of strength against strength as the high-powered offense of North Carolina (24th in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 113.9) takes on the elite defense of Duke (seventh in the country with a defensive efficiency of 92.0). Also, the Blue Devils are among the country’s best on the offensive backboards, ranking 12th in offensive rebounding percentage (36.5 percent). The Tar Heels, meanwhile, rank 15th in defensive rebounding percentage (76.7 percent).
Duke Blue Devils vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Free Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – North Carolina, ATS Winner – North Carolina, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Duke averages 24.5 three pointers per game, which ranks 80th in the NCAA. North Carolina ranks 283rd in three pointers allowed per game (26.8).
- The Tar Heels average 43.7 rebounds per game, which ranks first in the nation. The Blue Devils rank 177th in rebounds allowed per game (35.5).
- Duke ranks third in steals per game (9.6) while North Carolina ranks 157th in steals allowed per game (6.8).
- The Blue Devils rank first in blocks per game (6.9) while the Tar Heels rank 199th in blocks allowed per game (4.8).
- Duke ranks 21st in assists per game (16.1) while North Carolina ranks 202nd in assists allowed per game (14.1).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Blue Devils have scored an average of 76.8 points per game (7.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 71.0 points per game (3.5 above their season average).
- The Tar Heels’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.0, down from 13.6 for the season.
