The No. 9 North Carolina Tar Heels and UNI Panthers will face off at Dean E. Smith Center to open the new season. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 141.5 points with North Carolina set as a 17-point favorite. Action starts at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, November 10, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPNU.
UNI Panthers at North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Preview
North Carolina won the National Championship last season, defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Tar Heels went 27-7 in the regular season. UNI, meanwhile, did not reach the tournament following a 14-16 regular season campaign.
Based on each team’s statistical profile, ball security could play a significant role in this meeting. Last season, North Carolina committed the 36th-fewest miscues in the NCAA (turnover percentage of 16.4 percent), while the pesky defense of UNI forced the 37th-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 21.3 percent). Moreover, the Panthers’ 332nd-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 95.2) will face a tough challenge against the Tar Heels’ 48th-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 98.0).
The Panthers had records of 14-16 straight up (SU) and 10-19 against the spread (ATS) last season. Of UNI’s 29 games with betting action last year, 16 finished under the projected point total.
On the other side, the Tar Heels owned records of 27-7 SU and 20-17-2 ATS last season. In accordance with UNI, games featuring North Carolina had a tendency to finish under the projected point total (57.9 percent).
The Tar Heels won the lone contest against the Panthers last season, 85-42. The Tar Heels played a perfect game. They had a ridiculous offensive rebounding percentage of 34.4 and a phenomenally low turnover percentage of 6.5. For those same stats, the Panthers put up marks of 8.8 and 24.8, respectively.
UNI Panthers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – North Carolina, ATS Winner – North Carolina, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Panthers average 23.4 three pointers per game, which ranks 77th in the NCAA. The Tar Heels rank 266th in three pointers allowed per game (23.5).
- North Carolina ranks 66th in steals per game (7.1) while UNI ranks 94th in steals allowed per game (5.8).
- North Carolina ranks first in rebounds per game (43.7) while UNI ranks 311th (29.4).
- The Tar Heels rank fourth in assists per game (18.1) while the Panthers rank 306th (9.9).
- UNI ranks seventh in blocks allowed per game (2.2) while North Carolina ranks 229th (4.4).
