Expect a shootout when the 15th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels (11-3, 1-0 ACC) go head-to-head against the 18th-ranked North Carolina State Wolfpack (13-1, 1-0 ACC) at PNC Arena. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, and will air on ESPN.
North Carolina Tar Heels at North Carolina State Wolfpack Betting Odds
Both teams were triumphant in their last game. The Wolfpack easily got past the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers 105-55, while the Tar Heels beat the Wofford Terriers 78-67.
North Carolina dominated nearly every stat category in 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 had marks of 26.5 and 0.452, respectively. The Wolfpack, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (8.8 vs. 20.9) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (50.0 vs. 25.0). Torin Dorn had a solid performance for North Carolina State, recording 28 points and nine rebounds. Luke Maye, meanwhile played a pivotal role for North Carolina with 24 points and seven rebounds.
This was a highly competitive series last year, as the teams split their two games last season. In the most recent game, the Tar Heels won 96-89. North Carolina had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (46.9 vs. 21.2). North Carolina State, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (13.2 vs. 19.8). This is the first time these teams will battle this year.
The Tar Heels’ Cameron Johnson has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 0 points per game. Meanwhile, Dorn has averaged 0 points during that same time frame for the Wolfpack.
This matchup pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. North Carolina State ranks third in offensive efficiency and North Carolina ranks 49th in defensive efficiency.
North Carolina vs. North Carolina State Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – North Carolina State, ATS Winner – North Carolina, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- North Carolina State ranks 38th in three pointers allowed per game (19.6) while North Carolina ranks 222nd (25.9).
- The Wolfpack average 3.8 blocks per game, which ranks 71st in the NCAA. The Tar Heels rank 151st in blocks allowed per game (4.6).
- North Carolina State ranks 10th in rebounds allowed per game (29.6) while North Carolina ranks 83rd (33.6).
- The Wolfpack average 18.1 assists per game, which ranks 11th in the country. The Tar Heels rank 142nd in assists allowed per game (13.5).
- North Carolina State ranks 51st in steals per game (7.8) while North Carolina ranks 134th in steals allowed per game (7.1).
Bettings Trends:
- The Wolfpack’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 38.8, up from 23.2 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Tar Heels have scored an average of 98.6 points per game (8.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 68.0 points per game (4.1 below their season average).
