The UNC Tar Heels take on the Florida State Seminoles in Tallahassee, Florida. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
UNC is favored by 2.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -142. The total is set at 156.5 points.
Here are my UNC vs. Florida State predictions and college basketball picks for February 24, 2025.
UNC vs Florida State Prediction
My Pick: UNC -2.5 (Play to -3)
My UNC vs Florida State best bet is on the Tar Heels spread, with the best odds currently available at DraftKings. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
UNC vs Florida State Odds
| UNC Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -102 | 156.5 -108 / -112 | -142 |
| Florida State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -118 | 156.5 -108 / -112 | +120 |
- UNC vs Florida State spread: UNC -2.5
- UNC vs Florida State over/under: 156.5 points
- UNC vs Florida State moneyline: UNC -142, Florida State +120
- UNC vs Florida State best bet: UNC -2.5 (Play to -3)
Spread
I'm taking the Heels on the spread.
Moneyline
I think the Heels win this game straight up on the road.
Over/Under
I'm avoiding the total.
My Pick: UNC -2.5 (Play to -3)
UNC vs Florida State College Basketball Betting Preview
It's a dangerous game to fall into the trap of betting bubble teams in late February and early March — there's a reason why those teams are in their current position.
However, motivation is a huge factor that goes into my bet on the Tar Heels to win and cover on the road in Tallahassee.
First, let's start with the fact that UNC has played much better over the last three games. Sure, the competition hasn't been great — Syracuse, NC State and Virginia — but the Heels won those matchups by an average of 15 points.
Why is that important? They need these wins by margin. UNC is currently on the outside looking in for the NCAA Tournament, according to ESPN's Bracketology.
The Tar Heels sit as one of the "First Four Out" at this juncture of the season, and with a 1-10 record in Quad 1 games, they can ill afford to add any painful defeats to their resume.
Florida State ranks higher in KenPom than any of the Heels' last three opponents, but with Leonard Hamilton on the outs after the season and Duke on deck over the weekend, the Noles really don't have much to play for.
UNC's biggest problem this season has been its inability to replace Armando Bacot and get legitimate production on the interior. Its rotating cast of characters on the inside has been underwhelming at best, and Florida State's length could pose a problem.
However, the Tar Heels' guard play is a huge step up from FSU's — even with RJ Davis continuing to be inefficient. Ian Jackson, in particular, has been an absolute beast over the last three games, including a 23-point outing against the Orange.
Give me the Heels.
