The best team in the ACC right now in the form of the No. 9 Virginia Cavaliers is scheduled to meet the North Carolina Tar Heels, who have some work left to do to ensure that they are going to get at least an at-large berth invite to March Madness. Check out our preview of this game below.
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Betting Preview for the North Carolina Tar Heels vs Virginia Cavaliers NCAA College Basketball Game on February 13 2021
Where: John Paul Jones Arena
When: Saturday, February 13, 2021, 6:00 PM ET
Line: North Carolina Tar Heels (odds) vs. Virginia Cavaliers (odds) – view all 2021 NCAAB lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the North Carolina Tar Heels (odds)
Record: 12-6 Overall / 7-4 Conference
This season may not be as good as the previous ones for North Carolina, but at least the Tar Heels accomplished one of their top annual priorities. The Tar Heels bounced back from their 63-50 road loss to the Clemson Tigers on Feb. 2 by upending bitter rivals, Duke Blue Devils in Durham to the tune of a 91-87 score. The Tar Heels shot 53.1 percent from the field against Duke and hit 10 threes — their most in a game, so far this season. Virginia’s defense isn’t going to be lenient, but if the Tar Heels can rule the glass once again just like they usually do, North Carolina could take the Cavaliers’ defense out of synch. Virginia likes to control the pace, but North Carolina is tops in the ACC in total rebounds (40.6) and offensive rebounds (14.5) per game. In addition, North Carolina is second in the nation with a 40.0 offensive rebound percentage. A beefy front court that features four players taller than 6-10 can be a problem for Virginia.
North Carolina is 3-1 against the spread in its last four games overall.
Betting on the Virginia Cavaliers (odds)
Record: 14-3 Overall / 10-1 Conference
Virginia seems to have fully recovered from its loss to the Virginia Tech Hokies in Blacksburg late last January, as the Cavaliers have since won three games in a row, the latest being their 57-49 takedown of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on the road on Feb. 10. It’s no secret that defense is the main weapon of Virginia, and it was very clear in the win over the Yellow Jackets, who shot just 36.0 percent from the field and went 4 of 21 from behind the arc. That’s what Virginia defense does to opponents. Virginia is fourth in the nation with just 59.4 points allowed per game and No. 1 in the ACC win adjusted defensive efficiency rating (95.1). Although they average just 31.7 rebounds per game, the Hoos are actually eighth nationally with an 80.9 defensive rebounding percentage. Plus, Virginia’s efficient offense will be filling in the gaps for the Hoos, who are fourth in the nation with 1.209 points per possession.
The under is 3-1 in Virginia’s last four games overall.
Writer’s Prediction
Virginia wins, 69-64.
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