The Hogs and Tar Heels opened the tournament on completely opposite ends of the drama spectrum. Arkansas squeaked by Seton Hall in the Round of 64, largely because of a terrible flagrant foul call at the end of the game, while North Carolina rolled over Texas Southern 103-64. A developing storyline for the Tar Heels, however, is the health of their starting point guard, Joel Berry. The junior left Friday’s game with a leg injury but made a return late in the second half. If the Heels are to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament, they’ll need their leader in the starting backcourt.
- UNC is 3-0 SU and ATS in its last 3 games as a favorite of 10 points or more.
- Arkansas is 0-4 ATS in its last 4 games as an underdog of 10.5 or more.
- The total has gone OVER in 8 of Arkansas's last 11 games against the ACC.
If you were a fan of the Michigan-Oklahoma State game, this is the matchup for you. Both these teams like to get out and run and we could easily see UNC break 90 points for the 17th time this season. Arkansas, though, will be heavily outmatched even if Joel Berry can’t suit up. The Hogs’ main strength is in the frontcourt and the Heels have the best – and deepest – set of big men in the nation.
Looking at the numbers, UNC and Arkansas both rank highly in key offensive metrics but with the Hogs giving up the 171st-most points in NCAA basketball, Justin Jackson and the rest of the Heels offense should be able to do whatever they want on the attacking end of the floor.
UNC should easily cover the Sportsbook 8.5-point spread here and if the game is played in the run-and-gun style it appears it should, the total of 160.5 doesn’t have a chance.
Arkansas Razorbacks vs North Carolina Tar Heels Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Arkansas Razorbacks will look to cover the spread vs the North Carolina Tar Heels on Sunday, as the Razorbacks are 18-15 ATS versus the spread this season, while the Tar Heels are 19-15-1 ATS. Arkansas is 17-16 against the total, while North Carolina is 15-20 versus the total betting line.
The North Carolina Tar Heels sit at No. 16 in the current college hoops power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Arkansas Razorbacks sit at No. 60 on the same chart.
Statistical Matchup
In the paint, the rebound battle will feature North Carolina's No. 1-rated squad against Arkansas's No. 122-rated roster. And in long-range shooting, North Carolina rates No. 146 in the country with 7.26 per game, while their foes tonight, the Arkansas Razorbacks rank No. 204 nationally with 6.43 per match.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Razorbacks grabbed a 77-71 win over the Pirates on Friday, behind a 23-point effort from Moses Kingsley at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
North Carolina cruised to victory on Friday, running Texas Southern out of the gym and running up a 103-64 score at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
