North Carolina vs. Kentucky odds, picks and predictions
The North Carolina Tar Heels (7-2) and Kentucky Wildcats (7-2) meet Saturday as part of the CBS Sports Classic at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Tip-off is scheduled for approximately 5:30 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the North Carolina vs. Kentucky odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The Tar Heels were tripped up 87-76 against UConn on a neutral floor last time out on Dec. 5, failing to cover as 5.5-point underdogs as the Over (151.5) cashed. UNC has covered just twice in the past 5 games overall, and it is 2-2 ATS in 4 neutral-floor games to date, cashing the Over in 5 of the past 6 games overall, including the past 3 on a neutral floor.
The Wildcats were stunned at home by UNC Wilmington at Rupp Arena on Dec. 2, falling 80-73 as 18.5-point favorites. Kentucky bounced back with an 81-66 win and cover as a 13.5-point favorite against Penn last Saturday. The Under (149.5) cashed in that one, snapping a 6-game Over run.
North Carolina is No. 9 and Kentucky is No. 15 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll.
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North Carolina vs. Kentucky odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:53 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): North Carolina -122 (bet $122 to win $100) | Kentucky +102 (bet $100 to win $102)
- Against the spread (ATS): North Carolina -1.5 (-110) | Kentucky +1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 165.5 (O: -114 | U: -106)
North Carolina vs. Kentucky picks and predictions
Prediction
North Carolina 87, Kentucky 81
Moneyline
Roll with NORTH CAROLINA (-122) straight up if you feel it will win, but only by a single point. If you, play the small spread for a much better value.
Against the spread
Taking NORTH CAROLINA -1.5 (-110) makes more sense if you like the Tar Heels to win, as they simply need to win by a single bucket or more, making the spread a little cheaper than simply playing the ML.
UNC averages 85.1 points per game this season and is a good free-throw shooting team at 75.8% in the event of a close game.
Kentucky +1.5 (-110) has covered 3 of the past 4 games and is 2-0 ATS against ranked opponents this season. However, UNC is easily the most impressive offense the Wildcats have faced.
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Over/Under
OVER 165.5 (-114) is a good play as far as the total is concerned, especially when Kentucky is involved.
The Wildcats hit the Under against Penn last time out, but the total has still ended up going high in 6 of the past 7 games overall, including its only previous neutral-floor game. The Over is 2-0 in 2 games against ranked foes, too.
For the Tar Heels, the Over has cashed in 5 of the past 6 games overall, too, and this team isn't great on the defensive end, and they like to push the ball up the floor and move quickly on offense, generating plenty of points.
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