The 15th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels (10-3) and their great offense head to Pittsburgh to play the Panthers (10-3) and their exceptional defense. The game starts at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 5, 2019, and will air on ACC Network.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Pittsburgh Panthers ATS Odds
Both teams defeated their last opponent. The Panthers defeated the Youngstown State Penguins 69-53, while the Tar Heels beat the Wofford Terriers 78-67.
North Carolina dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 35.7 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.568. For those same stats, Wofford was 26.5 and 0.452, respectively. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh played a nearly flawless game. They had a free throw rate of 0.236 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.509. For those same stats, Youngstown State was 0.134 and 0.328, respectively. Pittsburgh was led by Xavier Johnson, who put up 16 points, six assists and five rebounds. Luke Maye, meanwhile led the way for North Carolina, putting up 24 points and seven rebounds.
The Tar Heels won the sole game between these two teams last season, 96-65. North Carolina’s rebounding was their largest strength. The Tar Heels had 16 offensive rebounds and 47 total rebounds, while the Panthers had 11 and 28, respectively. This is the first time these teams will battle this year.
The Tar Heels’ Cameron Johnson has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 0 points per game. Meanwhile, Johnson has averaged 0 points during that same time frame for the Panthers.
Baskets could be hard to come by in this battle between two of the nation’s best defenses. Pittsburgh currently ranks ninth in defensive efficiency (86.8) and North Carolina is 59th (94.2). Also, the Tar Heels rank 29th in offensive rebounding percentage (36.1 percent), while the Panthers rank 283rd in defensive rebounding percentage (68.7 percent).
North Carolina Tar Heels at Pittsburgh Panthers ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Pittsburgh, ATS Winner – North Carolina, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- North Carolina ranks fourth in rebounds per game (44.3) while Pittsburgh ranks 144th in rebounds allowed per game (35.6).
- The Tar Heels average 7.9 steals per game, which ranks 44th in the nation. The Panthers rank 132nd in steals allowed per game (7.0).
- Pittsburgh ranks 150th in three pointers allowed per game (23.5) while North Carolina ranks 229th (26.5).
- The Tar Heels rank fifth in assists per game (19.4) while the Panthers rank 119th (13.8).
- Pittsburgh ranks 51st in blocks per game (4.3) while North Carolina ranks 144th in blocks allowed per game (4.4).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Tar Heels have scored an average of 98.6 points per game (8.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 68.0 points per game (5.1 below their season average).
- The Panthers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 19.0, up from 15.2 for the season.
