The Western Carolina Catamounts (3-6) will attempt to end their six-game road losing streak when they go head-to-head with the No. 11 North Carolina Tar Heels (8-1), who look to extend their five-game home winning streak. The games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 154 points with North Carolina opening as a 31-point favorite. Action begins at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 6, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPN Full Court.
Western Carolina Catamounts vs. North Carolina Tar Heels ATS Preview
The Catamounts won a close one over the Appalachian State Mountaineers in their last game, 72-71. With 19 points and seven rebounds, Mike Amius had a good game for Western Carolina. The Catamounts made 12 of their 15 free throws (80.0 percent), while the Mountaineers had a turnover percentage of 23.1 (above their season average of 16.2).
In the Tar Heels last game, they blew out the Tulane Green Wave, 97-73. North Carolina rallied around Luke Maye, who led the team in scoring with 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting. North Carolina dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 34.6 (below their season average of 36.2) and a free throw rate of 0.276 (above their season average of 0.236). Tulane was 20.0 and 0.159, respectively, for those same stats.
The high-powered offense of North Carolina will go head-to-head against the porous defense of Western Carolina. Since the 2016-17 season, the Tar Heels rank 16th in offensive efficiency, while the Catamounts are 331st in defensive efficiency. The Tar Heels figure to have the edge on that end of the court.
Games including these teams have typically gone over the O/U total. Western Carolina games have gone over 75.0 percent of the time, while North Carolina games have gone over 62.5 percent of the time. The Tar Heels have the clear advantage straight up (SU) (8-1 vs. 3-6), but both teams have the same against the spread (ATS) record (5-3).
Western Carolina Catamounts at North Carolina Tar Heels Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – North Carolina, ATS Winner – North Carolina, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Tar Heels rank 103rd in blocks per game (3.7) while the Catamounts rank 253rd (2.3).
- North Carolina averages 6.6 steals per game, which ranks 116th in the nation. Western Carolina ranks 261st in steals allowed per game (8.2).
- North Carolina averages 43.8 rebounds per game, which ranks fourth in the NCAA. Western Carolina ranks 301st in rebounds allowed per game (36.4).
- The Tar Heels average 18.0 assists per game, which ranks sixth in the nation. The Catamounts rank 277th in assists allowed per game (14.5).
- Western Carolina ranks 130th in three pointers allowed per game (21.6) while North Carolina ranks 281st (24.3).
