Miami vs. North Carolina Odds
| Miami Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -115 | 155.5 -118o / -104u | +180 |
| North Carolina Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -105 | 155.5 -118o / -104u | -220 |
For the Heels and Hurricanes, there’s no time for a Super Bowl watch party. The two ACC contenders square off in Chapel Hill less than 48 hours after playing Saturday.
Both notched key victories at home over the weekend, with North Carolina dispatching Clemson in blowout fashion, while Miami kept Louisville at bay.
The cumulation of Miami’s four-game win streak puts it in prime position to secure a top-five seed — or higher — in the NCAA tournament.
North Carolina, however, is still fighting for its postseason life.
The walls were caving in on UNC in the wake of a three-game losing streak last week. A whirlwind of finger-pointing dominated the headlines, but a statement 20-point win over Clemson promptly silenced the doubters — at least temporarily.
Miami Hurricanes
Unlike UNC fans, Miami faithful are spoiled by its elite guard play. Isaiah Wong and Nigel Pack represent a more efficient and consistent version of Caleb Love and R.J. Davis, and co-exist harmoniously under Jim Larranaga’s tutelage.
The subtle rise of third banana Wooga Poplar — a once offensive-deprived defensive specialist — arms the U with a well-rounded perimeter triumvirate.
The frontline doesn’t boast the size or physicality of most power-conference teams, but Norchad Omier and Jordan Miller are superstars in their roles and vital enablers to Miami’s deadly pick-and-roll predicated offense.
"Revenge" is tossed around loosely as a convenient handicapping narrative, but it may be apt in this context. The Hurricanes took UNC to the woodshed last season, walloping the Tar Heels 85-57.
North Carolina had no answer for Miami’s lethal ball-screen attack, and the Canes had a field day with driving and kicking for open 3s.
This year’s UNC defense suffers from the same disjointed ball screen and 3-point close out coverage, which could set up for a deja vu scenario in the only meeting between the two this year.
North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina’s hot and cold erraticism has frustrated Tar Heel backers all season.
Love remains the microcosm of this volatility. On Saturday, Love’s 6-for-9 3-point barrage reminded everyone of last year’s magical tournament run.
When he’s on, the Tar Heels are a freight train.
However, the other side of the coin is far less appealing.
Love’s 33% 3-point field goal percentage is far from a calamity, but his enthusiastic shot selection can cripple UNC’s offense, especially when it comes at the expense of Armando Bacot’s touches.
With Bacot now healthy after a brief setback earlier in conference play — coupled with Pete Nance’s return to action — the Heels look like the dangerous team most saw back in November.
However, any resurrection of last year’s mojo starts with Love and his trusty backcourt partner, Davis.
Miami vs. North Carolina Betting Pick
Given the stark matchup issues for North Carolina defensively, there’s an obvious need for Hubert Davis to punish the Canes for their small-ball, spread-out attack on the other end.
If Bacot dominates the restricted area, UNC could score at will at the rim.
Granted, the highly-efficient nature of both offenses will already be priced in the total, but the matchup offers an additional sliver of value on the over.
Both KenPom and Bart Torvik project this game around 160.
Pick: Over 153.5 (Play to 163) |
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