The third-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels (26-5, 16-2 ACC) will be in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tourney at Spectrum Center when they square off against the Louisville Cardinals (20-12, 11-8 ACC). Action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 14, 2019, and can be seen on ESPN.
Louisville Cardinals vs. North Carolina Tar Heels ATS Odds
Both teams were victorious in their last game. The Tar Heels were victorious over the fourth-ranked Duke Blue Devils 79-70, while the Cardinals dismantled the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 75-53.
Louisville dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an effective field goal percentage of 0.462 (below their season average of 0.511) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 38.5 (above their season average of 29.5). Notre Dame had marks of 0.291 and 28.6, respectively, for those same stats. The Tar Heels, on the other hand, held the Blue Devils to an effective field goal percentage of 0.397 (below their season average of 0.539) and had a turnover percentage of 11.1 (better than their season average of 15.1). Cameron Johnson had a solid outing for North Carolina with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Jordan Nwora had a solid performance for Louisville, finishing with 24 points and nine rebounds.
It will be a battle of opposite paces as the up-tempo Tar Heels (ranked sixth in the nation in possessions per game) will look to push the more half-court-oriented Cardinals (205th in possessions per game).
Louisville Cardinals vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – North Carolina, ATS Winner – North Carolina, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Louisville ranks 72nd in three pointers attempted per game (24.9) while North Carolina ranks 290th in three pointers allowed per game (26.5).
- The Tar Heels rank first in rebounds per game (43.6) while the Cardinals rank 120th in rebounds allowed per game (34.3).
- Louisville averages 3.0 blocks per game, which is ranked 133rd in the NCAA. North Carolina ranks 202nd in blocks allowed per game (4.8).
- The Tar Heels rank 60th in steals per game (7.3) while the Cardinals rank 243rd (4.5).
- North Carolina ranks second in assists per game (19.3) while Louisville ranks 148th (13.3).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Cardinals have scored an average of 65.8 points per game (8.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 63.4 points per game (3.9 below their season average).
- The Tar Heels’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.0, down from 13.6 for the season.
