Duke vs North Carolina Prediction: Can the Tar Heels Cover at Home?

Duke vs North Carolina Prediction: Can the Tar Heels Cover at Home?

Tonight we renew the best rivalry in all of college basketball. The Duke Bluedevils will travel to Chapel Hill to take on the North Carolina Tarheels. This is undoubtedly the best rival in the college basketball game, but you can make a strong debate this is the best rivalry in sports period. The all-time series is currently 141-114 in favor of Carolina but to get an idea of how good these games have been, their split 50-50 in the last 100 meetings.

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Duke vs North Carolina Prediction

Duke has had the better record in the coach K era, which has been an extended time, but these games every year, no matter the team's records, is one of the best games of the season. Duke will come into this game as the road favorite and the ranked team.

Duke has been outstanding this year led by freshmen guard Paolo Banchero who will be a lottery pick in the upcoming draft. Veteran Wendell Moore has been outstanding for the blue devils playing the role of the leader on this team. North Carolina comes into this game unranked, but they will have a shot to make March madness this year. This will be a huge game for their resume, and a win here would do wonders for the Heels.

North Carolina enters Sunday ranked 37th in the nation and currently holding onto a number ten seed for the tournament. This is a talented roster across the board and will be a strong challenge for Duke at home. Duke enters this game as a short three-point road favorite on Saturday night. 

The pick I am going with in this game will be the North Carolina Tarheels with the three points. I think this line is way off here, being that we get this UNC team at home and with points. This bet is a no-brainer for me and for a couple of reasons. The first is that this is a home game for UNC, and the environment will be absolutely electric.

Duke has some experience on this team, but their best players are younger guys who will be in a really tough position on the national stage. I believe the environment in this one will play a serious factor. The second reason is I love to bet on desperate teams at home, and here we have one. UNC is currently slated as a fringe ten seed, but a win at home over Duke will really settle their March madness resume.

This is a massive game for them, and they will play this game with everything they have. I know Duke is the more talented team. I will not argue that, but I do think UNC can hold an advantage in the paint. Armando Bacot and Brady Manek will need to be active in this one and take advantage of their matchups on Saturday night. I trust the Heels in this spot with the points, and I can not wait to kick back and watch this game. 

Duke vs North Carolina Line Movement

Duke vs North Carolina Pick

• Pick: North Carolina +3 -105 (Bet $105 to win $100)