Can Portland Play the Role of David vs Goliath UNC?

The defending national champion North Carolina Tar Heels have been no strangers to collecting hardware over the years, and they will look to add another title to their name when they open the PK80 Invitational on Thursday against Portland.

Sportsbook opened the Tar Heels as 26.5-point favorites with a total of 153.5.

Shark Bites
  • The total has gone UNDER in nine of Portland’s last 12 games as underdog.
  • The total has gone UNDER in five of North Carolina’s last seven games with a closing total of 153.5 or less.
  • North Carolina is 7-0 SU in its last seven games against teams with winning records.

UNC’s defense has been stellar in three double-digit wins on the year, including a 96-72 road triumph over Stanford on Monday. North Carolina has five players averaging double digits in points, proving once again they have an incredibly balanced offensive attack. The Tar Heels are 6-0 SU all-time when playing in Oregon.

Portland has dropped nine straight to ranked teams and is 0-24 against top-10 opponents, so playing the role of David to UNC’s Goliath is going to be a tough task. The squad reinforced the roster this season, adding Josh McSwiggan and Franklin Porter. The Pilots have been great in one area, however: field-goal defense. Portland has held opponents to 31.9 percent shooting – good enough for the third-best mark in the nation.

Portland has been a great bet when facing huge underdog spreads in recent years. In the Pilots’ last five as an underdog of 26.5 or more, they’re 5-0 ATS.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

The Portland Pilots opened as 26-point underdogs in this one at most sportsbooks tracked at OddsShark, including Sportsbook. The total was set to open a bit later; check out Sportsbook for the latest situation.

Portland Pilots vs North Carolina Tar Heels Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The 3-0 and 2-0 ATS North Carolina Tar Heels will face the 2-1 Portland Pilots, who own a 0-1 ATS mark on the season. In totals betting, the North Carolina Tar Heels are 2-0 on the OVER/UNDER so far this season while the Portland Pilots are 0-1.

According to new college basketball power rankings here at OddsShark, it's the No. 7-ranked Tar Heels and the No. 317-rated Pilots in this matchup.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

The battle between the Pilots and Hustlin' Owls didn’t turn out to be much of a battle at all as Oregon Tech was handed an 86-59 defeat on Sunday at Chiles Center.

The Tar Heels blew out Stanford on Monday, running up a 20+ point victory in a 96-72 win at Maples Pavilion.

Betting Trends
  • Portland is 3-18 SU in its last 21 games
  • North Carolina is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

Next Betting Matchups

Portland home to Multnomah University, Thursday, November 30
North Carolina at Michigan, Wednesday, November 29

The total has gone UNDER in nine of Portland’s last 12 games as underdog. The total has gone UNDER in five of North Carolina’s last seven games with a closing total of 153.5 or less. North Carolina is 7-0 SU in its last seven games against teams with winning records.
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