The North Carolina Tar Heels find themselves in an uncommon spot when they host Duke on Thursday, as they will enter that game as underdogs. This is a unique spot for Roy Williams’ team, as it will be only the fourth time this season UNC has been spotted points. However, history is not on UNC’s side, as the Tar Heels are 0-8 SU and 0-7-1 ATS in their last eight as dogs.
Life has been tough in Chapel Hill recently with UNC dropping three of its past four games – including two losses to unranked opponents. Though the offense continues to hum, for the most part, it has been the defensive side where North Carolina has struggled. This has been specifically noticeable when UNC “attempts” to defend the perimeter, with the team allowing opponents to shoot 38.2 percent from deep (312th in the nation), accounting for 42.9 percent of the points against them (last in the nation).
Duke is skidding too, going just 1-2 SU in its last three outings. We all know the Blue Devils defense is downright bad – it is something we have just accepted at this point of the season – but their streaky shooting has been a hindrance recently. Grayson Allen has been the main culprit, as the senior has shot 37.0 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc in the last three games. If ever there was a time for Allen to start rectifying his shooting stroke, it is against a UNC squad he torched from deep last season.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Sportsbooks (including Sportsbook) had the North Carolina Tar Heels as 1.5-point favorites in this particular matchup earlier in the day. Also, watch for the Sportsbook OVER/UNDER total value at Sportsbook.
Duke Blue Devils vs North Carolina Tar Heels Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The North Carolina Tar Heels battle the Duke Blue Devils, currently sitting with a 19-4 mark (13-9 ATS). The OVER/UNDER records, always important for totals betting, are 13-9-1 for the Tar Heels and 15-7 for the Blue Devils.
The OddsShark Power Rankings have the Tar Heels at No. 37 and the Blue Devils at No. 28 heading into this college basketball betting matchup.
Statistical Matchup
Scoring and defensive stats point to some betting edges in this matchup. The game features North Carolina's No. 27-ranked scoring average of 82.83 PPG, against a Duke defense rated No. 141 and allowing 72.39 PPG. The Tar Heels' FG% has averaged 46.37% to date this season, less than the Blue Devils shooters have managed so far (50.75% per game).
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Duke suffered a 81-77 loss against St. John's on Saturday, getting 22 points from Gary Trent Jr. in a losing effort at Madison Square Garden.
The Tar Heels blew out Pittsburgh on Saturday, running up a 20+ point victory in a 96-65 win at Dean Smith Center.
Next Betting Matchups
Duke at Georgia Tech, Sunday, February 11
North Carolina at North Carolina State, Saturday, February 10