North Carolina vs. Duke NCAA Basketball Betting Preview – 03/09/18

One of the best NCAA basketball betting matchups is upon us. This Friday, in the ACC Men’s Tournament Semifinals, North Carolina vs. Duke basketball will grace our pupils. Considering the rich rivalry between these two programs, there’s not much else that needs to be said to hype up this pairing. What kind of turnout are the evening’s basketball teaser odds predicting?

North Carolina vs. Duke Basketball – Friday, March 9^th

When: 9:00 pm ET

Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

TV: ESPN

Stream: Watch ESPN

NCAA Basketball Betting Odds:

North Carolina Tar Heels +4½ (-110)

Duke Blue Devils -4½ (-110)

#ACCTourney Semifinal today:

🏀 Duke v. UNC
📍Barclays Center
⏰ 9:30 PM
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/qFcbPGuMfE

— Duke Basketball (@DukeMBB) March 9, 2018

North Carolina Tar Heels

Joel Berry II, Luke Maye and Cameron Johnson lead the charge for the Tar Heels. Those three are averaging 17.3, 17.1, and 13.2 points per game respectively. This evening, that trio will need to outscore the nation’s 5^th best scoring offense. Considering that they were able to lead UNC to a 24-9 record, it’s not unfathomable for them to get the job done this evening. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time this season the Tar Heels knocked off Duke. So far in the ACC Tournament, the Tar Heels have faced Syracuse and Miami. Neither of those two posed much of a problem. Obviously the opposite is true for Duke.

As aforementioned, the Blue Devils come in with the nation’s 5^th best scoring offense. For comparison; UNC ranks 22^nd in scoring. Not only that, Duke enters with the better overall defense. Specifically, the Tar Heels give up 73.3 points while Duke only allots 69.5. If the odds take both teams’ stats into account, bettors can expect Duke to come in as the favorite. And that would be keeping in line with the odds on the spread.

Duke Blue Devils

Grayson Allen was instrumental to Duke’s victory against Notre Dame the other night. Allen is hoping to contribute once again, despite the fact that Marvin Bagley III leads Duke in points per game. Overall the Blue Devils come into this matchup with a 26-6 record that saw them finish 2^nd in the ACC rankings. Notwithstanding that eye-raising finish, the evening’s NCAA basketball betting odds aren’t quite sure how to peg this match up on the money line. Obviously betting sportsbook players will have to check up on the odds throughout the day. But putting that aside, which way should players bet in tonight’s North Carolina vs. Duke basketball contest?

Considering the statistical advantage Duke has over UNC, it would seem that the Blue Devils are the better option. But to further obscure this point; these two have faced off twice this season. With a win per side, it’s clear this is no easy matchup to predict. The Blue Devils won the most recent rendition 74-64. So that said, perhaps bettors should stick with Duke this evening.

North Carolina vs. Duke Basketball Betting Predictions

Trends

• North Carolina is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 Games
• North Carolina is 8-2 SU in its last 10 Games
• Duke is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 Games
• Duke is 7-1 SU in its last 8 Games

North Carolina vs. Duke Basketball Picks

The best rivalry in college basketball is close to impossible to predict. But this is exactly what makes this matchup so riveting. Ultimately, this rendition will likely go in Duke’s favor. The Blue Devils have enjoyed more recent success than UNC and should be able to get the job done on neutral court. Sign up now to bet on this awesome rivalry!

Score Prediction: 85-80 Duke. The Blue Devils pick up the win and advance to the ACC championship round.