It will be a battle between ACC opponents when the No. 12 North Carolina Tar Heels (12-4, 2-1 ACC) welcome the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-5, 1-2 ACC) to the Dean E. Smith Center. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, and will air on ESPN.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Prediction
The last time the Fighting Irish played, they defeated the Boston College Eagles, 69-66. Converting at the free throw line was one of Notre Dame’s biggest strengths. They were 20-23 (87.0 percent), while the Eagles were just 8-10 (80.0 percent). Notre Dame was led by John Mooney, who was the game’s high scorer with 27 points on 8-for-13 shooting.
The Tar Heels were blown out by the Louisville Cardinals in their last matchup, 83-62. Louisville’s 0.620 effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over North Carolina, who had a mark of 0.371. The Cardinals’ mark was above their season average of 0.525, while the Tar Heels’ was below their season average of 0.538. With nine points and 11 rebounds, Luke Maye had a solid game for North Carolina.
Opposite tempos will be on display in this matchup. North Carolina has preferred to play fast (sixth in possessions per game), while Notre Dame has been more methodical (290th in possessions per game).
After the Tar Heels won both contests against the Fighting Irish last season, these teams will meet for the first time this year. In the last matchup, North Carolina won 83-66. The Tar Heels had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (38.7 vs. 25.0) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.583 vs. 0.466).
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at North Carolina Tar Heels Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – North Carolina, ATS Winner – Notre Dame, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes:
North Carolina averages 44.3 rebounds per game, which ranks second in the country. Notre Dame ranks 219th in rebounds allowed per game (38.0).
The Fighting Irish rank 38th in three pointers attempted per game (26.8) while the Tar Heels rank 232nd in three pointers allowed per game (26.1).
Notre Dame ranks 14th in steals allowed per game (4.8) while North Carolina ranks 160th (7.5).
The Fighting Irish average 5.9 blocks per game, which ranks sixth in the NCAA. The Tar Heels rank 149th in blocks allowed per game (4.5).
North Carolina ranks sixth in assists per game (19.3) while Notre Dame ranks 104th (14.3).
Bettings Trends:
The Fighting Irish’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.2, down from 7.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Tar Heels have scored an average of 79.2 points per game (9.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.4 points per game (5.0 below their season average).
+++++
