The sixth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels host Maryland on Wednesday, looking to build on their 25-4 mark against the 16-12 Terrapins in college hoops action at Dean Smith Center.
But bettors know UNC may be looking past Maryland to a meeting with Duke, which will settle the ACC title. That makes the 20-point Tar Heels vs Terrapins point spread interesting for underdog bettors.
Maryland is 4-11 ATS in its last 15 games on the road, but they are 6-1 ATS in their past 7 meetings with UNC. Of note, the OVER has prevailed in 7 straight meetings.
Supporters of the Terrapins have watched them go 16-12 and 11-12-1 ATS on the year, while the Tar Heels are at 25-4 and 15-13 ATS. In totals betting, the Tar Heels are 13-14-1, while the Terrapins have a 11-12-1 mark.
View Maryland vs North Carolina Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
The Tar Heels were listed as 20-point favorites at most sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark, including Sportsbook. The total opened high at 150.5 at Sportsbook.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game puts the Tar Heels, most recently No. 4 in the Odds Shark power rankings, up against the Terrapins, who rate No. 163 in the latest survey. Meanwhile, math and computer-based handicapping simulations run on this game predict a potential 87-70 victory for the Tar Heels.
How They Match Up:
In the paint, the rebound battle will feature North Carolina's No. 1-rated squad against Maryland's No. 79-rated roster. And in long-range shooting, North Carolina rates No. 282 in the country with 5 per game, while their foes tonight rank No. 260 nationally with 5.2 per match.
Defensively, Maryland features the nation's No. 242-rated defense on the road, allowing 72.8 points per game. North Carolina, meanwhile, comes in at No. 4 nationally in scoring at home.
Maryland lost its last outing, a 63-61 result against Georgia Tech on February 25. They failed to cover in that game as a 1-point underdog. Maryland got 18 points from Terrell Stoglin but lost anyway, 63-61, to Georgia Tech on Saturday at Alexander Memorial Coliseum.
North Carolina was a 54-51 Sportsbook in its last match on the road against Virginia. They failed to cover the 4-point spread as favorites. North Carolina got 20 points from Tyler Zeller en route to a 54-51 victory over Virginia on Saturday at John Paul Jones Arena.
Maryland Terrapins Trends:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Virginia are 4-6
After playing Georgia Tech are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3
North Carolina Tar Heels Trends:
When playing on Wednesday are 9-1
Before playing Duke are 9-1
After playing Virginia are 7-3
After a win are 8-2
A few Terrapins at Tar Heels trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Maryland's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Maryland's last 6 games when playing on the road against North Carolina
Maryland is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against North Carolina
Maryland is 4-11 ATS in its last 15 games on the road
North Carolina is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of North Carolina's last 5 games when playing Maryland
North Carolina is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games at home
North Carolina is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Maryland
Next up:
Maryland home to Virginia, Sunday, March 4
North Carolina at Duke, Saturday, March 3
