The seventh-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels (6-1) and their great offense will be 2.5-point favorites when they welcome the sixth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0) and their stifling defense. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 136 points and it will air on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 4, 2019.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Odds
Both teams covered in their last outing. The Tar Heels (1.5-point underdogs) defeated the 11th-ranked Oregon Ducks 78-74, while the Buckeyes (27.5-point favorite) beat the Morgan State Bears 90-57. Both games went over their projected point totals. The North Carolina game finished 9 points over the projected point total of 143, while the Ohio State game finished 17 points over the projected point total of 130.
Ohio State played a flawless game. They had a turnover percentage of 11.8 (better than their season average of 16.2) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 41.7 (above their season average of 33.3). For those same stats, Morgan State had marks of 18.8 and 26.3, respectively. Meanwhile, North Carolina dominated nearly every stat category in their game. They had a ridiculous free throw rate of 0.323 (above their season average of 0.211) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 52.8 (above their season average of 38.7). Oregon had marks of 0.171 and 44.0, respectively, for those same stats. North Carolina’s Armando Bacot had a good game, putting up 23 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks. Ohio State, meanwhile, was lifted by Andre Wesson, who recorded 19 points and seven rebounds.
Vegas is known to set the total high when the Buckeyes are playing, as 71.4 percent of their games have finished under the projected point total. Ohio State comes into the contest with records of 7-0 straight up (SU) and 6-1 against the spread (ATS).
Coinciding with Ohio State, games including the Tar Heels also tend to finish under the projected point total (85.7 percent). North Carolina has a superb 6-1 SU record, but they are just 2-5 ATS.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the prolific offense of North Carolina takes on the stingy defense of Ohio State. Dating back to last season, the Tar Heels rank 34th in offensive efficiency, while the Buckeyes are 57th in defensive efficiency.
Ohio State at North Carolina Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Ohio State, ATS Winner – Ohio State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2018-Present):
- Ohio State ranks 96th in three pointers allowed per game (20.8) while North Carolina ranks 322nd (27.6).
- The Tar Heels rank first in rebounds per game (44.9) while the Buckeyes rank 144th (35.9).
- The Buckeyes rank 58th in blocks allowed per game (2.8) while the Tar Heels rank 241st (4.4).
- Ohio State ranks 46th in assists allowed per game (11.1) while North Carolina ranks 227th (13.9).