Two college basketball behemoths meet in Sin City when the UNC Tar Heels clash with the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday. Though the rivalry between the two schools has rarely taken the floor the past few years, UNC has been the team to back, as they are 9-2 ATS in their past 11 against UK.
- Kentucky is 13-4 ATS in their past 17 games dating back to last season.
- UNC is 16=2 SU in their past 18 games against teams with winning records.
- UNC is 18-4 ATS in their past 22 games against the SEC.
UNC has four different players averaging double-digit points this season, but it may only be three suiting up. Joel Berry II has missed the Tar Heels’ past two games with a sprained ankle and coach Roy Williams seems uncertain if he will play. Berry’s replacement was Nate Britt who floundered offensively, shooting just 4-of-22, but excelled defensively. With Kentucky averaging over 94 points per game, the defense may be necessary.
Unlike the experienced UNC squad, John Calipari and company have relied on freshman this season. The guard duo of Malik Monk and De’Aaron Fox have formed one of the best backcourts in the country, as they have averaged a combined 34.5 points, 9.3 assists and 8.0 rebounds per game. The third starting freshman is Bam Adebayo who has averaged 14.4 points and 9.0 rebounds in the past seven.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
On the Sportsbook NCAA basketball betting line for this matchup, North Carolina sat as 0-point over at Sportsbook. Also, check out the current over/under betting total for points scored, which often goes up first at online sportsbook Sportsbook
Kentucky Wildcats vs North Carolina Tar Heels Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The North Carolina Tar Heels sport a record of 10-1 and 6-5 ATS heading into this betting matchup, while the Kentucky Wildcats have 9-1 and 7-3 ATS marks on the season. The OVER/UNDER records are 3-8 for the North Carolina Tar Heels and 7-3 for the Kentucky Wildcats.
The Tar Heels - Wildcats odds would favor the Wildcats if the lines were set according to our power ranks. North Carolina is rated No. 5 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Kentucky is at No. 1.
Statistical Matchup
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and North Carolina has the nation's No. 11-rated offensive output, at 88 PPG. The visiting Kentucky Wildcats defense ranks No. 116 allowing on average 68.8 PPG. The Tar Heels FG% has averaged 48.38% so far, less than the North Carolina Wildcats marksmen have achieved on the year, 48.46% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The battle between the Wildcats and Pride didnt turn out to be much of a battle at all as Hofstra was handed a 96-73 defeat on Sunday at Barclays Center.
The Tar Heels got 12 points from Kenny Williams as North Carolina ran past Tennessee 73-71 on Sunday at Dean Smith Center.
- Kentucky is 13-4 ATS in its last 17 games
- Kentucky is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kentucky's last 6 games
- Kentucky is 2-9-1 ATS in its last 12 games when playing North Carolina
- North Carolina is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games
- North Carolina is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Kentucky
- North Carolina is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Kentucky
Next Betting Matchups
Kentucky at Louisville, Wednesday, December 21st
North Carolina at Northern Iowa, Wednesday, December 21st
