When it comes to college basketball wagering royalty, no two programs better exemplify it than Duke and North Carolina. These two superpower blue blood programs are the class of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Duke Blue Devils and North Carolina Tar Heels have contributed the most to the ACC its marquee as the best in the game. This tradition of excellence is also what makes Duke vs. North Carolina one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports. North Carolina will host Duke on Thursday.
The Duke Blue Devils may have been peaking ahead to this college basketball wagering showdown against North Carolina. Duke is coming of an embarrassing 81-77 loss at St. John’s as 10.5 point chalks. It was the third loss against the spread in Duke’s last five games. The Blue Devils now stand at 19-4 straight up and 13-8 against the spread. On the road Duke has a mark of 4-3 against the spread. Over the total has hit in five out the Blue Devils seven away games. High octane offense is what makes head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s program go. Coach K boasts the nation’s second highest scoring team in the land. Freshman forward Marvin Bagley III is a national sensation. Bagley leads the team in scoring with 21.4 points per game. He is also the top rebounder on the squad with 11.2 boards per game. A defense that ranks 178th overall in the nation is a potential weakness.
The North Carolina Tar Heels have gotten rave sportsbook reviews for their performance in home games this season. Head coach Roy Williams’ team has paid out in eight out of 11 games at the Dean E. Smith Center. Over the total has paid out in a whopping 10 of those 11 home games. The Heels mauled the Pitt Panthers for a 96-65 payout in their last game as 23.5 point chalks. UNC boasts an excellent forward themselves in junior Luke Maye. Maye has a team best 18.3 points and 10.3 assists per game. The over has hit in five out of the last six games for the Tar Heels. Maye dominated for 26 points, five assists, and eight rebounds in the win over Pitt. Williams has built an offense that ranks 31st best in the nation. The defense ranks 197th overall however.
North Carolina has come away with the money in just one out of their last six games against Duke. This series has gone over the total in six out of the last eight meetings. The Devils and Heels have gone over the total in two out of their last three meetings at the Dean E. Smith Center. Carolina has covered just two out of their last ten home games against Duke.
Duke Blue Devils vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
Date and Time: Thursday, February 8, 2018, 8 p.m. Eastern
Location: Dean E. Smith Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
NCAA Basketball Odds:
Duke – 1½ -110 OV: 166 -110
North Carolina +1½ -110 UN: 166 -110
Blue Devils vs. Tar Heels TV Coverage: ESPN
Matchup to Watch
This college basketball wagering classic features the two star forwards in Bagley and Maye. Both teams have strong offenses that are somewhat offset by inconsistent defenses.
Blue Devils vs. Tar Heels NCAA Basketball Picks
This should be a shootout. Duke and over the total is the parlay pick.
NCAA Basketball Betting Pick: Duke Blue Devils and over the total.
NCAA Basketball Betting Score Prediction: Blue Devils 90, Tar Heels 84
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