Tar Heels vs Hurricanes NCAAB Handicapping Prediction
North Carolina (21-4) got over their home loss to Duke with an 18-point thrashing against a ranked Virginia team in their last game and now travel to the Sunshine State to face Miami (15-8), who recently had their 5-game winning streak snapped.
Venue/ Stadium: BankUnited Center, Coral Gables, FL
Time/Date: 8 PM EST Wednesday, February 15, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): North Carolina -5
Over/Under: 146.5
No 7 North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Miami Hurricanes Preview
NCAAB lines have the Tar Heels as 5-point away favorites with a total of 146.5.
In their last games UNC crushed Virginia 70-52 while Miami lost to Florida State 64-59.
On the season UNC is 12-12 ATS with an O/U record of 12-12 and Miami is at 10-9-1 ATS with an O/U record of 10-10.
The Tar Heels have won 9 straight against the Canes and they crushed them at home earlier last month.
The big question for Miami in this ACC game is can they contain the Tar Heels’ frontcourt, which is the best in the nation? Not likely. F Harrison Barnes (17.5 ppg 5 rpg), 7′ F/C Tyler Zeller (16 ppg 9.6 rpg), and John Henson (14 ppg 10.3 rpg). The Tar Heels have the highest scoring team in the nation and they also lead the nation in rebounding. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
UNC dominated Miami on the glass in their earlier meeting and the only time the Tar Heels have lost this season is when they were beaten on the glass. That does not bode well for Miami, as they only rank 163rd in the nation in rebounding.
The Canes will need HUGE games, especially on D from, 6’11 C/F Kenny Kadji (12.6 ppg 5.7 rpg) and F Reggie Johnson (11.4 ppg 6.9 rpg). They will also need 2nd leading scorer Durand Scott (12.6 ppg 5 rpg) to knock down some J’s and also help out in the rebounding department. Johnson had been stellar in the Canes’ win streak, but really struggled in the Florida State loss and he needs to get back on track in this game.
The Canes lead the ACC in 3-point shooting percentage and they were held in check against Florida State and if they cannot bury the 3 tonight they may be in big trouble.
Miami is on the bubble and a win over top 10 UNC team would look fantastic on their Big Dance resume.
In some betting trends for this ACC game North Carolina is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall, and they have an Over record of 5-1 in their last 6 games as a road favorite.
Miami is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games, and they have an Over record of 6-1 in their last 7 games.
Jason’s Pick: Yeah, Miami is a solid team, but there is no way they can keep up with the UNC backcourt, as I think the Tar Heels will easily win and cover tonight.
