Based on their recent performances in the tournament, it appears as if the Harvard Crimson have the first round read like a book. They’ve advanced to the Round of 32 in each of the last two editions of the March Madness as a 12-seed (2014) and as a 14-seed (2013). Will they make it three in a row by shocking 4-seed and perennial contenders North Carolina Tar Heels?
Read on below for a detailed preview of this game. You can also click here for our preview of No. 8 San Diego State vs. No. 9 St. John’s.
[sc:MarchMadness ]March Madness No. 4 North Carolina Tar Heels vs No. 13 Harvard Crimson Preview
Where: Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville
When: Thursday, March 19, 7:20 PM ET
Line: North Carolina Tar Heels (-10) vs. Harvard Crimson (+10); total: +132.5 – view all March Madness lines
Betting on the North Carolina Tar Heels
It would’ve been ideal for the Tar Heels to enter the Big Dance as the ACC Champions. But after taking a tough 90-82 loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, they’ll have to move on and chase a bigger dream: a national title.
[sc:NCAAB240banner ]Despite the loss, Tar Heels point guard Marcus Paige erased any lingering doubts about his health going into the Big Dance by coming up with a huge game against Notre Dame. Paige scored a season-high 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field, including five threes. Paige has been on fire of late, averaging 18.5 points and 3.4 threes over North Carolina’s last five games.
Paige, however, may find it a little harder to score in the early going against a Harvard defense that allows just 57.2 points per game. But with North Carolina’s elite playmaking (17.7 APG) and decided advantage in depth, expect the Tar Heels to pull away at some point in the matchup. Aside from Paige, who puts up 13.9 points per game, three other Tar Heels average in double-figures, namely Brice Johnson (13.2 PPG), Kennedy Meeks (11.7 PPG), and freshman Justin Jackson (10.4 PPG).
North Carolina also holds a significant advantage in rebounding, as Roy William’s team is second in the nation in that department with 41 boards per game. Harvard is 171st with 34.4. North Carolina is 3-1 ATS in its last four games.
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Betting on the Harvard Crimson
Is the formula for a first round upset still in the hands of Harvard? Tommy Amaker’s Crimson team likes to think so, as the Crimson prepare for a showdown with 4-seed North Carolina after taking down rival Yale on Saturday, 53-51. The win gave Harvard an automatic-bid to the National Tournament as a 13-seed.
Harvard’s calling card for most of the season has been its constricting defense. This will be the Crimson’s number one weapon against the favored Tar Heels, who are scoring 77.9 points per game. However, they’ll have to get their offense going to keep in step with Marcus Paige and company.
A bulk of Harvard’s offense is expected to come from senior Wesley Saunders, who is the team’s best player. Saunders is averaging 16.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Saunders is averaging 16.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.
Siyani Chambers and Steve Moundou-Missi have been key contributors on the offensive end for Harvard as well, averaging 9.8 and 9.7 PPG respectively. These three players combined for 40 of Harvard’s 53 points in their victory over Yale, thus highlighting just how important they are to the team.
Harvard is 11-7 ATS in its last 18 games as an underdog.
Writer’s Prediction
North Carolina (-10) wins , 71-57.
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