It doesn’t get any easier for the Florida State Seminoles. After starting off ACC play with No. 1-ranked Duke, they have to return home and host the reigning NCAA champions in the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Seminoles have won 27 straight games at home and opened as a slight favorite vs the Tar Heels.
Although the Seminoles have an impeccable home record, it may not matter much to North Carolina. The Heels haven’t lost to Florida State since the ACC championship game in 2012 and have claimed victory in seven straight games in this matchup. UNC is led by forward Luke Maye in the scoring department this season. He’s averaging 18.4 points and should pace the Heels’ offensive flow along with point guard Joel Berry.
If the Seminoles plan to keep their home streak alive, it will all start with forward Phil Cofer. The senior dropped 28 points on the Blue Devils and hit six three-pointers. Backing the Seminoles may be a tall order for bettors when they look at FSU’s record this season. They’ve only beaten one ranked team (Florida) and took a tough loss from Oklahoma State back in mid-December. Fading Florida State may be the best option in this matchup.
The total opened at 165 and OVER bettors will be interested to know that the OVER has hit in five straight games in this matchup.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Oddsmakers at sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had set the Florida State Seminoles as 1-point favorites on the Sportsbook betting line for this contest. The betting line may have moved; check for updates at shops such as Sportsbook.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs Florida State Seminoles Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Florida State Seminoles sport a record of 11-2 and 9-2 ATS heading into this betting matchup, while the North Carolina Tar Heels have 12-2 and 8-5 ATS marks on the season. The OVER/UNDER records are 6-5 for the Seminoles and 7-5-1 for the Tar Heels.
The power rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Seminoles rated this week at No. 16 and the Tar Heels sitting at No. 34.
Statistical Matchup
Scoring and defensive stats point to some betting edges in this matchup. The game features Florida State's No. 22-ranked scoring average of 85.69 PPG, against a North Carolina Tar Heels defense rated No. 150 and allowing 71.71 PPG. The Seminoles FG% has averaged 49.58% to date this season, more than the Tar Heels shooters have managed so far (47.29% per game).
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Luke Maye scored 17 points leading the Tar Heels to a 73-69 victory over Wake Forest at Dean Smith Center on Saturday.
Phil Cofer scored 28 points for Florida State on Saturday, but the Blue Devils managed a 100-93 victory over the Seminoles at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Next Betting Matchups
North Carolina at Virginia, Saturday, January 6
Florida State at Miami, Sunday, January 7