The North Carolina Tar Heels have had mixed results through the first two games of a brutal early-season stretch as they prepare to host the Ohio State Buckeyes on Wednesday night. The Tar Heels lost to Michigan in the semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas, but rebounded nicely to upend Oregon in a spirited third-place game.
- Date/Time: December 4, 9:30 p.m. ET
- Arena: Dean E. Smith Center
- TV Coverage: ESPN
- Sportsbook Odds: North Carolina -3.5 | O/U 136
- Ohio State Vs North Carolina Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Tar Heels opened as 3.5-point favorites but were quickly bet down to -3. The Sportsbook total of 136 is the lowest North Carolina has seen so far this season.
Ohio State News & Notes
On one hand, the Buckeyes’ record (7-0) and average margin of victory (25.6, first in Division I) mask the fact that their early-season schedule has been lacking in competition. But amid those one-sided victories over the likes of Stetson and Purdue-Fort Wayne is a 25-point rout of then-No. 10 Villanova in which they held the Wildcats to 30.6 percent shooting.
That kind of defensive dominance has carried the Buckeyes to an unbeaten start; they’re allowing just 52.7 points per game (sixth-best in the nation) while limiting opponents to 32.9 percent shooting, second only to Virginia. The offense is led by forward Kaleb Wesson, who paces the team in scoring (12.9 points per game) and rebounding (9.3).
North Carolina News & Notes
Normally, the powerhouse Tar Heels have a couple of one-sided victories under their belt – but the 2019-20 edition has yet to win by more than 16 points. And while a victory by that margin is still strong, oddsmakers expect more – which is why North Carolina has opened 2-5 against the spread, its worst ATS start to a season since 2010-11.
Beating the Buckeyes this week will almost certainly require a strong performance from team scoring leader Cole Anthony, who is off to a blistering start (20.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 3.0 apg). The freshman guard showed poise in North Carolina’s two toughest games of the season, averaging 20.5 points and 6.0 rebounds against the Wolverines and Ducks.
Betting Pick: Ohio State +4
The Buckeyes should capitalize on North Carolina’s frigid offensive start to the season and make it eight straight victories to open the season.
- Ohio State is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games.
- North Carolina is 1-5 ATS in its previous 6 games.
- The OVER is 4-1 in North Carolina’s last 5 games vs Ohio State.
