North Carolina Tar Heels vs Ole Miss Rebels Pick – 3/21/2025

The NCAA Tournament's first round features an intriguing contest between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Ole Miss Rebels. Scheduled for Friday, March 21, 2025, at 4:05 p.m. Eastern Time, this game will take place at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Both teams bring unique strengths and recent performances that promise a competitive encounter.

North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Ole Miss Rebels Game Preview

North Carolina enters the tournament with a 23-13 record, having recently secured a decisive 95-68 victory over San Diego State in the First Four. This win marked their ninth in the last eleven games, showcasing a team peaking at the right moment. RJ Davis led the charge with 26 points, including a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond the arc. The Tar Heels' offense was particularly potent, setting a program record with 14 three-pointers in an NCAA Tournament game. Davis averages 17.3 points per game, supported by Ian Jackson's 12.3 points and Seth Trimble's 11.7 points. The team averages 81.2 points per game and holds a 15-3 record when scoring 80 or more points.

Ole Miss, holding a 22-11 record, earned the No. 6 seed after an up-and-down season that included impressive wins over Alabama and Tennessee—both No. 2 seeds in this tournament. The Rebels fell to Auburn 62-57 in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals and will look to bounce back against a surging North Carolina team.

Sean Pedulla leads the Rebels with 14.9 points per game and has made a team-high 78 three-pointers. The team boasts a balanced attack, with five other players averaging at least 10.0 points per game. Malik Dia leads in rebounding with 5.7 per game, though the Rebels have been outrebounded by an average of 4.7 per game. Head coach Chris Beard, in his first season with Ole Miss, has taken four different programs to the NCAA Tournament and has never lost a first-round game.

Betting Insights

As of the latest updates, North Carolina is favored by 1.5 points over Ole Miss, with an over/under set at 156.5 points. The moneyline stands at North Carolina (-130) and Ole Miss (+110).

Key betting trends include:

• North Carolina has won each of its last 10 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Ole Miss has lost six of its last eight day games.
• Each of North Carolina’s last 10 games against the Southeastern Conference have produced a total of 157 or more points.

North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Ole Miss Rebels Prediction

North Carolina's recent surge, highlighted by their dominant performance against San Diego State, suggests they are hitting their stride at an opportune time. Their offensive prowess, especially from three-point range, could exploit Ole Miss's defensive vulnerabilities. However, Ole Miss's balanced scoring and experience under Coach Beard cannot be overlooked.

Considering the Tar Heels' momentum and offensive capabilities, they are likely to have the edge in this matchup. Bettors might find value in backing North Carolina to cover the spread, with the total points potentially exceeding the over/under, given both teams' scoring tendencies.

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