The North Carolina Tar Heels (6-4) will travel to the McCarthey Athletic Center to take on the second-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs (11-1). The game will air on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 18, 2019.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Betting Odds
In their last contest, the Bulldogs were victorious over the 15th-ranked Arizona Wildcats, 84-80, while the Tar Heels were beaten by the Wofford Terriers, 68-64.
The Bulldogs had a solid free throw rate of 0.279 (above their season average of 0.235) and held the Wildcats to an effective field goal percentage of 0.436 (below their season average of 0.579). North Carolina, meanwhile, had a much better free throw rate (0.190 vs. 0.061). Joel Ayayi had a solid outing for Gonzaga with 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Meanwhile, Garrison Brooks had a solid performance for North Carolina, finishing with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
The Tar Heels won the only game between these two teams last year, 103-90. North Carolina out-rebounded Gonzaga. The Tar Heels had 14 offensive rebounds and 42 total rebounds, while the Bulldogs had five and 21, respectively. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Gonzaga could put on a ball-control clinic in this meeting. Gonzaga ranks 10th in the country at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 15.7 percent), while North Carolina forces the eighth-fewest turnovers (15.8 percent). Moreover, the Tar Heels are among the country’s best on the offensive backboards, ranking eighth in offensive rebounding percentage (37.5 percent). The Bulldogs, however, rank 16th in defensive rebounding percentage (77.7 percent).
North Carolina Tar Heels at Gonzaga Bulldogs Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Gonzaga, ATS Winner – North Carolina, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Gonzaga ranks 107th in three pointers allowed per game (21.6) while North Carolina ranks 260th (28.4).
- The Bulldogs rank 84th in steals per game (7.2) while the Tar Heels rank 140th in steals allowed per game (7.1).
- North Carolina ranks 26th in blocks per game (5.0) while Gonzaga ranks 67th (3.8).
- The Bulldogs average 17.3 assists per game, which ranks 12th in the NCAA. The Tar Heels rank 157th in assists allowed per game (13.4).
- Gonzaga ranks 12th in rebounds per game (41.9) while North Carolina ranks 132nd in rebounds allowed per game (35.0).
Bettings Trends:
- The Bulldogs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.6, down from 19.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Tar Heels have scored an average of 47.6 points per game (14.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 54.4 points per game (5.7 below their season average).
