UNC Meets Oregon Program That Hasn’t Been In Final Four since ’39

North Carolina is in the Final Four yet again. And the world keeps turning. The Tar Heels find themselves among the last four teams remaining for the 11th time since 1991. Comparably, the opposing Oregon Ducks have not made the Final Four since they won their only NCAAB tournament in 1939 – the first time the tourney was ever held.

SHARK BITES
  • UNC is 8-0 SU and 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games against the Pac-12.
  • The total has gone OVER in 8 of Oregon's last 11 games.
  • UNC is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games against teams with winning records.

UNC has been strong defensively, with the Tar Heels holding the opposition to 70.5 points and 32.4 percent from 3-point range. It has been their domination of the boards that has really propelled UNC, as the squad has posted an average rebounding margin of plus-14 during the tourney while only allowing a combined 33 offensive rebounds. You can thank senior Kennedy Meeks for this, with the big man recording at least 11 rebounds in each of the past three.

Maybe the most impressive aspect of UNC during March Madness has been the depth of scoring. Of course, Justin Jackson and Joel Berry II will always pace the team but we have seen how dangerous the likes of Luke Maye, Isaiah Hicks and Nate Britt can be. If Jackson and Berry can start hitting the deep ball – they are shooting a combined 6-for-25 beyond the arc in the past two games – then UNC may have the best offense remaining in the Madness.

You simply can’t talk about Oregon’s tournament without talking about Jordan Bell. The junior has become just the eighth player since 1985 to record four consecutive games with 12-plus rebounds in the NCAAB tournament, joining the likes of Larry Johnson, Shaq and Tim Duncan. The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year has been the biggest reason Oregon has held opponents to 69.3 ppg while posting an average rebounding margin of plus-7.5 boards per game.

Bell’s dominance down low has also made Oregon a much better offensive team, which is hard to believe. Dillon Brooks can now move to the 4 spot in a small-ball lineup, which has allowed him to use his speed advantage over bigger opponents. That has also put the ball in Tyler Dorsey’s hands more, which has been a godsend, as the sophomore is averaging 24.5 points while shooting 68.7 percent from the floor and 65.4 percent from deep during the tourney.

Oregon Ducks vs North Carolina Tar Heels Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The North Carolina Tar Heels sit at 31-7 (20-16-2 ATS) on the college basketball season. By comparison, the Oregon Ducks are currently 33-5 (22-14-1 ATS). Looking to bet on the total points scored? North Carolina is 16-22 OU, and Oregon is 18-19 OU.

The North Carolina Tar Heels sit at No. 16 in the current college hoops power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Oregon Ducks sit at No. 9 on the same chart.

Statistical Matchup

Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and North Carolina has the nation's No. 8-rated offensive output, at 84.97 PPG. The visiting Oregon Ducks defense ranks No. 31 allowing on average 65.47 PPG. The Tar Heels FG% has averaged 47.15% so far, less than the North Carolina Ducks marksmen have achieved on the year, 48.33% per game.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

The Ducks got 27 points from Tyler Dorsey as Oregon ran past Kansas 74-60 on Saturday at Sprint Center.

The Tar Heels grabbed a 75-73 win over the Wildcats on Sunday, behind a 19-point effort from Justin Jackson at FedExForum.

UNC is 8-0 SU and 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games against the Pac-12.home The total has gone OVER in 8 of Oregon's last 11 games.away UNC is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games against teams with winning records.home
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