The No. 5 North Carolina Tar Heels (10-2) go head-to-head with the Ohio State Buckeyes (10-3) at Smoothie King Center. The game starts at 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 23, 2017.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Prediction
The last time the Buckeyes played, they blew out the Citadel Bulldogs, 94-65. The Buckeyes held the Bulldogs to an effective field goal percentage of 0.415 (below their season average of 0.508) and had a turnover percentage of 13.3 (better than their season average of 17.2). Ohio State rallied around Keita Bates-Diop, who contributed 17 points.
The Tar Heels fell to the Wofford Terriers in their last game, 79-75. Wofford’s 12.2 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over North Carolina, who had a rate of 16.3. The Terriers’ mark was better than their season average of 18.3. North Carolina’s Luke Maye recorded 17 points and 14 rebounds in the contest.
Expect this one to be a clinic on boxing out as two of the nation’s top rebounding teams square off. The Tar Heels rank second in offensive rebounding percentage (36.6 percent), while Ohio State ranks 25th in defensive rebounding percentage (76.0 percent).
Joel Berry II has averaged 18.0 points and 3.4 assists over the last five games for North Carolina.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. North Carolina Tar Heels ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Ohio State, ATS Winner – Ohio State, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Ohio State ranks 20th in blocks allowed per game (2.2) while North Carolina ranks 151st (4.9).
The Tar Heels rank sixth in rebounds per game (44.2) while the Buckeyes rank 83rd (37.9).
North Carolina ranks 17th in assists per game (18.3) while Ohio State ranks 69th (15.6).
The Tar Heels rank 204th in three pointers attempted per game (19.2) while the Buckeyes rank 219th in three pointers allowed per game (24.9).
Bettings Trends:
The Buckeyes’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 22.2, up from 12.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Tar Heels have scored an average of 87.8 points per game (1.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 72.2 points per game (0.3 above their season average).
