North Carolina vs. Virginia NCAAB Preview
Where: John Paul Jones Arena – Charlottesville, VA
When: Monday, February 27, 2017, 7:00 PM ET
Line: North Carolina Tar Heels (-4) at Virginia Cavaliers (+4); total: 130.5 – view all NCAA basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Writer’s Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels (-4)
College Basketball News and Previews
Betting on the North Carolina Tar Heels (25-5, 13-3 ACC)
No. 8 North Carolina is having a very strong end to the regular season. The Tar Heels plastered Pitt 85-67 last time out for their fourth straight win and sixth in their last seven games. Justin Jackson had another big night with 23 points, Joel Berry had 19 points, and Kennedy Meeks added 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The Tar Heels have covered the spread in all four wins during their current win streak, which is unsurprising given their 19-point margin of victory in those wins.
One of those wins was of course their 24-point demolition of Virginia at Chapel Hill on Feb. 18. Jackson had his customary 20 points, but it was the Tar Heels defense which impressed. They held the Hoos to just 28 percent shooting, including a pitiful 2-of-20 from beyond the arc, and dominated the battle of the boards, 44-26.
After starting just 1-5 ATS in their first six conference road games, the Tar Heels are 2-0 in their last two. Charlottesville is always a difficult place to visit, but with Jackson and co. playing some excellent ball, they should be able to continue putting points up even against tough Hoos defense.
Betting on the Virginia Cavaliers (19-9, 9-7 ACC)
No. 18 Virginia finally stopped the bleeding as they ended a four-game losing skid with a 70-55 road win over NC State. The much-maligned Hoos offense performed well for a change. They shot 49 percent from the field and 69 percent from beyond the arc. Devon Hall had a team-high 18 points and 9 rebounds, while London Perrantes added 16 points and 10 assists.
However, it remains to be seen whether they can sustain that sort of offensive production, especially against a tough Tar Heels team that has shown the potential to smother them defensively. Virginia has averaged just 51.5 points in its last two home games, which resulted in losses to Duke and Miami.
The Hoos defense (No. 1 in efficiency per KenPom.com) is still an outstanding unit, but they’ll need to come up with a massive performance, especially on the glass, to get one over on a more complete UNC squad.
History will be on the Hoos’ side, though. They’ve won each of their last three home games against North Carolina, and have gone 7-1 ATS in their last eight.
Writer’s Prediction
Virginia’s offense just can’t be trusted, even at home. North Carolina (-4) has too much offense, and they use it score a 68-57 win over the Hoos.
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