The No. 8 North Carolina Tar Heels (2-0) welcome the Stanford Cardinal (2-0) to Dean E. Smith Center for their home opener. The game will air on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, November 12, 2018.
Stanford Cardinal vs. North Carolina Tar Heels ATS Prediction
The Cardinal come in on a high note after topping the UNCW Seahawks in their last outing, 72-59. The Cardinal had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.509 vs. 0.380) and had a better turnover percentage (19.6 vs. 23.5). With 23 points on 7-for-14 shooting, KZ Okpala was the game’s high scorer.
In the Tar Heels’ last game, they dismantled the Elon Phoenix, 116-67. The Tar Heels had a much better turnover percentage (10.0 vs. 23.0) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (58.0 vs. 25.5). Nassir Little was the game’s high scorer with 21 points on 9-for-13 shooting from the field.
The Tar Heels won the sole contest against the Cardinal last season, 96-72. The Tar Heels had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (28.6 vs. 17.9) and had a much better turnover percentage (15.0 vs. 21.8).
North Carolina should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. Dating back to last season, North Carolina ranks 59th in the country at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.8 percent), while Stanford has forced the 37th-fewest turnovers (16.3 percent). Additionally, the Cardinal have been among the nation’s best on the offensive backboards, ranking 59th in offensive rebounding percentage (33.2 percent). The Tar Heels, meanwhile, rank 52nd at grabbing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 74.5 percent.
Stanford Cardinal at North Carolina Tar Heels Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Stanford, ATS Winner – Stanford, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
North Carolina ranks fifth in assists per game (18.3) while Stanford ranks 189th (13.1).
The Tar Heels rank 124th in three pointers attempted per game (22.9) while the Cardinal rank 293rd (17.9).
North Carolina ranks 73rd in blocks per game (4.1) while Stanford ranks 221st in blocks allowed per game (4.3).
The Tar Heels rank second in rebounds per game (42.8) while the Cardinal rank 96th in rebounds allowed per game (33.5).
North Carolina ranks 171st in steals per game (5.9) while Stanford ranks 204th in steals allowed per game (6.6).
*****
