The North Carolina Tar Heels (10-16, 3-12 ACC) will try to put an end to their six-game losing streak when they take on the No. 11 Louisville Cardinals (22-5, 13-3 ACC) at KFC Yum! Center. The game will air on ESPN at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 22, 2020.
North Carolina Tar Heels at Louisville Cardinals Betting Prediction
In the Tar Heels’ last matchup, they were beaten by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 77-76. Notre Dame’s 7.8 turnover percentage was their largest advantage over North Carolina, who had a rate of 14.3. The Fighting Irish’s mark was better than their season average of 12.5. Cole Anthony was the game’s high scorer with 23 points on 7-for-16 shooting.
The Cardinals easily got past the Syracuse Orange in their last game, 90-66. The Cardinals held the Orange to an offensive rebounding percentage of 19.5 (below their season average of 29.7) and had a free throw rate of 0.313 (above their season average of 0.244). With 14 points and 13 rebounds, Malik Williams played well for Louisville.
Louisville could dominate on the defensive side of the ball as they go head-to-head against one of the worst offenses in the country. The Cardinals rank 23rd in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.446), while North Carolina is 333rd in effective field goal percentage (0.456).
After the Tar Heels won two out of three games against the Cardinals last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last matchup, North Carolina won 83-70. The Tar Heels made 16 of their 21 free throws (76.2 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (23.7 vs. 14.6).
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Louisville Cardinals ATS Pick
Free Pick:ย ATS Winner – North Carolina, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Louisville averages 39.2 rebounds per game, which ranks 31st in the nation. North Carolina ranks 122nd in rebounds allowed per game (34.4).
The Tar Heelsโ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.6, up from 0.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cardinals have scored an average of 75.2 points per game (0.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 71.2 points per game (7.2 above their season average).