UNC will take to the court for the first time since the end of the regular season when the Tar Heels take on the Miami Hurricanes in the ACC tournament quarterfinals Thursday. It shouldn’t be much of a shock but the Tar Heels have gone 9-0 SU in their past nine games coming off four days’ rest.
The Hurricanes likely ensured they will be wearing their dancing shoes with a victory over Syracuse in the first round Wednesday. Senior Kamari Murphy made a big impact for the Canes in his return to his hometown of Brooklyn, as he notched 16 points and 10 rebounds against the Orange. Miami won the lone meeting against UNC during the regular season thanks to Bruce Brown’s fantastic performance that saw the freshman score a career-high 30 points while shooting 72.7 percent from the floor.
Since the loss to Miami earlier this season, UNC is 7-2 SU while posting an average scoring margin of plus-8.3 points. Justin Jackson has been near unstoppable this season, as the junior has topped 20 points in 10 of 18 conference games and is averaging more ppg (18.3) than any other Tar Heel since Tyler Hansbrough in 2009.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Odds makers at sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had set the North Carolina Tar Heels as -8-point favorites on the Sportsbook betting line for this contest. The betting line may have moved, check for updates at shops such as Sportsbook.
Miami Hurricanes vs North Carolina Tar Heels Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
This college basketball season, the North Carolina Tar Heels are 26-6 overall and 17-14-1 ATS, while the Miami Hurricanes are 21-10 and 12-18 ATS. As for the betting totals, North Carolina boasts a 13-19 on the OU, and Miami is 9-20-1.
This game puts the North Carolina Tar Heels, most recently No. 49 in the Odds Shark power rankings, up against the Miami Hurricanes, who rate No. 149 in the latest survey.
Statistical Matchup
Rebounding is always a key handicapping betting consideration and Miami is ranked No. 122 in NCAA basketball at 36.26 per game. Contrast that with North Carolina's No. 1 mark in the paint. When it comes to three-point shooting, North Carolina is the No. 141-ranked team in the country at 7.31 per game, while Miami rates No. 204 at 6.45 per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Hurricanes got 16 points from Kamari Murphy as Miami ran past Syracuse 62-57 on Wednesday at Barclays Center.
North Carolina got 28 points from Joel Berry II en route to a 90-83 victory over Duke on Saturday at Dean Smith Center.