The Miami Hurricanes (20-8, 9-7 ACC) will travel to Dean E. Smith Center to go head-to-head with the No. 9 North Carolina Tar Heels (22-7, 11-5 ACC) in their home finale. North Carolina is an 11-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 152.5 points. Action gets underway at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN.
Miami Hurricanes at North Carolina Tar Heels ATS Preview
In the Hurricanes’ last game, they won a close one over the Boston College Eagles, 79-78. Dewan Huell was Miami’s high scorer with 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting. Miami won the rebounding battle. The Hurricanes had 15 offensive rebounds and 39 total rebounds, while the Eagles had five and 27, respectively.
The Tar Heels hope to maintain momentum after topping the Syracuse Orange in their last contest, 78-74. North Carolina was lifted by Theo Pinson, who led the team in scoring with 23 points on 9-for-12 shooting. North Carolina played a nearly flawless game. They had a turnover percentage of 10.1 (better than their season average of 14.3) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 39.5 (above their season average of 38.9). Syracuse put up marks of 13.2 and 32.4, respectively, for those same stats.
This battle pits one of the nation’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. North Carolina currently ranks 20th in offensive efficiency and Miami ranks 47th in defensive efficiency. Also, the Hurricanes rank 55th in turnover percentage (16.8 percent), while the Tar Heels rank 310th in opponents’ turnover percentage (16.4 percent).
Of Miami’s 23 games with betting action, 12 have finished over the O/U total, while 16 of North Carolina’s 28 games have finished over the O/U total. Both teams have respectable straight up (SU) records (20-8 for Miami; 22-7 for North Carolina), but the Tar Heels have the advantage against the spread (ATS). North Carolina is 14-10-4 ATS, while the Hurricanes are 9-13-1.
Joel Berry II has been exceptional over the last five games for North Carolina, averaging 18.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year. Each won one of the two games played against each other last season. The Tar Heels won the most recent matchup 78-53. The Tar Heels played a perfect game. They had a great free throw rate of 0.283 and a superb effective field goal percentage of 0.594. For those same stats, the Hurricanes recorded marks of 0.189 and 0.406, respectively.
Miami Hurricanes at North Carolina Tar Heels Free Prediction
Prediction: SU Winner – North Carolina, ATS Winner – Miami, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Hurricanes average 4.0 blocks per game, which ranks 70th in the nation. The Tar Heels rank 198th in blocks allowed per game (4.7).
- Miami ranks 93rd in steals per game (6.6) while North Carolina ranks 103rd in steals allowed per game (6.0).
- On the road, Miami is 8-6-1 ATS with 8 unders and 7 overs.
- At home, North Carolina is 8-3-2 ATS with 9 overs, 3 unders and 1 push.
- Miami ranks 71st in three pointers allowed per game (20.1) while North Carolina ranks 277th (26.2).
- The Tar Heels rank fifth in assists per game (18.2) while the Hurricanes rank 168th (13.3).
- North Carolina ranks first in rebounds per game (43.1) while Miami ranks 160th (35.3).
Bettings Trends:
- North Carolina is 4-0-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Miami is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Tar Heels’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.8, down from 10.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Hurricanes have scored an average of 66.2 points per game (7.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.0 points per game (2.2 above their season average).
- North Carolina is 4-0-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Miami is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Tar Heels’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.8, down from 10.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Hurricanes have scored an average of 66.2 points per game (7.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.0 points per game (2.2 above their season average).
