The No. 15 North Carolina Tar Heels (9-3) put their five-game winning streak on the line when they challenge the Harvard Crimson (6-5) at Dean E. Smith Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, and will air on ESPN2.
Harvard Crimson at North Carolina Tar Heels ATS Prediction
The Crimson come in on a high note after beating the MIT Engineers in their last contest, 78-66. Harvard had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.618 vs. 0.425). MIT, on the other hand, did a great job of converting from the free throw line (15-19; 78.9 percent). Harvard received a boost from Chris Lewis, who was the top scorer from either team with 20 points on 9-for-11 shooting.
The last time the Tar Heels played, they beat the Wofford Terriers, 78-67. The Tar Heels had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (35.7 vs. 26.5) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.568 vs. 0.452). Luke Maye was the top scorer from either team with 24 points on 7-for-13 shooting from the field.
It will be a showdown of contrasting tempos as the fast-breaking Tar Heels (ranked fifth in the NCAA in possessions per game) will look to push the more methodical Crimson (282nd in possessions per game).
Cameron Johnson and Maye have played well over the last five games for North Carolina. Johnson has averaged 0 points per game. Not to be outdone, Maye has put up 0 points a game during that span.
Harvard Crimson at North Carolina Tar Heels Free Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – North Carolina, ATS Winner – Harvard, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
North Carolina ranks fifth in assists per game (19.8) while Harvard ranks 125th (13.7).
Bettings Trends:
The Crimson have been outscored by an average of 0.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Harvard has defeated opponents by an average of 2.3 points.
During their last five games, the Tar Heels have scored an average of 98.6 points per game (7.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 68.0 points per game (6.4 below their season average).
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