North Carolina Tar Heels vs Duke Blue Devils Predictions, Picks, Odds and NCAA Basketball Betting Preview – March 3, 2018

This game needs no hype to get everyone’s attention. Every time North Carolina and Duke meets it’s an event, so let’s head straight into the preview of this colossal showdown between the two pretty boys of college basketball. Register to bet and wager with your pick.

Betting Preview for the North Carolina Tar Heels vs Duke Blue Devils College Basketball Game on March 3, 2018

Where: Carrier Dome

When: Saturday, March 3, 2:00PM EST

Line: North Carolina Tar Heels () vs Duke Blue Devils ()–view all NCAA Basketball lines

TV Broadcast: ESPN

Betting on the North Carolina Tar Heels (22-8)

The Tar Heels were looking to enter the Duke game on a nice win streak, but their plan was sabotaged by Miami, which defeated North Carolina on Tuesday in Chapel Hill, 91-88. Despite the loss, the game showed that the Tar Heels’ offense is truly difficult to sustain. Miami is one of the best defending teams in the nation, but North Carolina still managed to shoot 54.4 percent from the field. Duke isn’t that great on defense, so the Tar Heels will be looking to capitalize on every chances they get. Having said that, they shot just 39 percent, albeit in an 82-78 win over Duke at home on Feb.8. The difference was on the glass, as the Tar Heels collected 44 rebounds against Duke’s 38. North Carolina is No. 1 nationally with 42.7 rebounds per game. As for its offense, North Carolina is generating 83.6 points per game.

The Tar Heels are 7-3 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 road games versus Duke.

Betting on the Duke Blue Devils (24-6)

As mentioned earlier, North Carolina won the rebounding battle in the first meeting with Duke. That will have to be fixed by Duke, as the Blue Devils simply can’t let a high-scoring team like North Carolina to get plenty of second-chance opportunities; the Tar Heels had a whopping total of 20 offensive rebounds. Duke isn’t too shabby either in that area, as they are ranked second nationally with 41.8 rebounds per game. Marvin Bagley III is a definite force inside. The double-double machine freshman put up 15 points and plucked down 16 rebounds in a losing effort to North Carolina. Expect the Blue Devils to have some extra motivation, too, for the rematch with North Carolina, as they are eager to bounce back after getting upset last Monday by Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, 64-63. Duke is 4-0 ATS in its last four home games.

Writer’s Prediction

The Duke Blue Devils defeat the North Carolina Tar Heels, 83-81.

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