North Carolina vs. Boston College Odds
| North Carolina Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -110 | 140.5 +100o / -121u | N/A |
| Boston College Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -110 | 140.5 +100o / -121u | N/A |
After both teams have had numerous COVID-19-related scheduling issues, it appears the Tar Heels will finally square off against the Eagles on Sunday in Chestnut Hill. The game had originally been scheduled to be played on Saturday, but it was moved by the ACC.
Boston College has not played a game since its December 13th loss to Albany, while UNC has yet to face competition since its 70-50 win over App State at home on December 21st.
UNC has had an impressive start to its season, as its currently 9-3. All three of its losses have come against teams ranked inside the AP Top 25.
Meanwhile, Boston College has been less than impressive. Currently 6-5 on the season, the Eagles will look to break a two-game losing streak.
With both teams coming off of long pauses, which squad will be able to shake the rust off first?
North Carolina Tar Heels
Sunday at Boston College will be the first of a nine-game stretch for North Carolina against unranked opponents. That poses a big opportunity for UNC to find its way back into the AP Top 25.
Despite inconsistent play against some of the top schools in the nation, North Carolina has dominated against inferior teams the entire season.
In their last game against App State, the Tar Heels maintained control for what felt like the entire game, en route to a 20-point win. Armando Bacot and Brady Manek both finished with double-doubles, and RJ Davis added 15 points in the team's bounce-back performance.
Offensively, North Carolina has been one of the best teams in the country, as it's currently ranked 18th in offensive adjusted efficiency while also averaging 78.6 points per game. The Heels' biggest advantage comes from outside the arc, where they are shooting 39.2% (12th in the country).
But there are some issues for UNC that can't be ignored. Opponents have shot 50.4% from 2-point range against the Tar Heels and 43.2% overall. The defensive struggles have led to UNC being ranked 211th in the country, allowing the opposition to average 71.4 points per game.
UNC has also been the worst team in the ACC in terms of turning the ball over, as it currently averages 12.7 per game.
Fortunately, however, Boston College has suffered the same issue, averaging 11.8 giveaways per game.
Boston College Eagles
The sibling duo of DeMarr Langford Jr. and Makai Ashton-Langford has been the driving force for the Eagles. The brothers from Worcester, MA lead the Eagles in points and are what stands between UNC and a second consecutive blowout win.
Ashton-Langford is the better shooter between the two, currently hitting 51% from inside the arc.
The two brothers aren't the only Eagles to watch out for, though.
Jaeden Zackery’s hot 3-point shooting could become a problem for UNC. Zackery is currently hitting exactly 50% from 3-point range, and could wreak havoc if left open.
As an offensive unit, Boston College is connecting on 44.1% from the floor, ranking 192nd in college basketball. The Eagles are also averaging 67.3 points and 36.6 rebounds per game so far this season.
But they have struggled in terms of moving the ball around. The Eagles are 287th in the country in assists per game, recording just 11.7 per outing. Boston College has also averaged 15.1 fouls per game and has struggled from the charity stripe, shooting just 69.6%.
On defense, the Eagles have been solid, ranking 45th in college basketball in points allowed (61.6). They have also forced 12.3 turnovers per game and have limited teams to 43.5% shooting from the field.
However, teams have been able to find success from deep against the Eagles — opponents have been able to hit 34.6% from outside the arc on average.
North Carolina vs. Boston College Betting Pick
Outside of top-25 teams, UNC has been dominant this year, and I think that continues against Boston College.
Both teams are coming off of long layoffs, and I think North Carolina will be able to find its footing much sooner than the Eagles.
Even with the Eagles being at home, I don't think it will play much of a factor based on just how much better the Tar Heels are on both ends of the court.
I would feel comfortable backing UNC as high as a 10-point favorite.
