Expect Offenses To Be On Full Display In North Carolina

Miami vs. North Carolina, 7:00 ET

College basketball once again went well for us over the weekend as we went 2-1 on the plays and continue to rack up the dough. We only have a week or so left for most of the teams before the conference tournaments start and then we get March Madness. All of that is to say… we don't have much more time to make money on this season. So, without further ado, let's get to our next opportunity to line our pockets, a game taking place in North Carolina as the Miami Hurricanes take on the Tar Heels. 

Last season Miami kind of flew under the radar and then crushed it in the tournament. This year, I'm not sure they will even make it to the big dance unless they close the regular season strong. So far in the campaign, the Hurricanes are 15-13, but the issue is that they have really struggled in conference play. Outside of the conference, they are 9-2. Inside of the ACC, they are 6-11 and are currently on a six-game losing streak. Over the course of this streak, they've lost three at home and three on the road with only two of the losses against ranked opponents. They did play North Carolina in this stretch and lost that game by just three points. The difference in that game was that North Carolina hit six more free throws and five more three pointers. Miami was able to hit more field goals overall, and shot a higher percentage of their free throws, but it didn't result in the success they needed. Miami actually matches up fairly well with North Carolina. The Hurricanes have a solid forward, Norchad Omier, that can battle with either Amando Bacot or Harrison Ingram, but not both. They have solid guards in the mix as well, some that play good defense, and somewhat score well. In the first game, Wooga Poplar was the second leading rebounder for the Hurricanes. 

Miami Hurricanes PG Nijel Pack attacks the paint with Virginia Cavaliers guards Dante Harris and Isaac McKneely swiping at the ball at John Paul Jones Arena. (Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports)

(Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports)

North Carolina continues to march toward the reset of the disappointment that was last season. After coming into last season with the #1 overall rank in the country, the Tar Heels went out and pooped the bed. They were so bad they didn't even make the big dance. This season, they look like they are on a mission. Think about how Virginia lost to a #16 seed and then won the title the next season. That's the type of trajectory this North Carolina team is on. This season, they are 21-6 on the year and 13-3 overall. They have had a bit of a dip lately as they have won three of their past five games. The two losses came at the hands of Syracuse and Clemson. The Syracuse game was a road game, but the Clemson game was a home loss, the first of the season for the Tar Heels. Now they get three straight games at home and look to close out the year strong before they have to go on the road to face Duke to end the year. North Carolina is a three-headed monster. They have Bacot and Ingram, as I've mentioned, but they also have a dominant scoring guard in RJ Davis. He has been outstanding for the Tar Heels this season and gives them a guy that can get a bucket whenever they need it. 

North Carolina should coast to victory in this game. Miami doesn't have a great defense so the Tar Heels should be able to get just about whatever they want. I still expect the pace to be rather high in this game as well. I wouldn't be surprised if Miami can once again keep this close and I lean toward them covering the 14-point spread. I'm going to take the over for the game though as I expect both teams to get up and down the count in this one. Back over 154.5.

For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on Twitter: @futureprez2024