Kentucky vs North Carolina Prediction 12/2/25 College Basketball Picks Today

The North Carolina Tar Heels and the Kentucky Wildcats meet Tuesday in college basketball action from Rupp Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Kentucky Wildcats prediction.

North Carolina Tar Heels Recap

The North Carolina Tar Heels come into this game looking to bounce back from a 74-58 loss at the hands of Michigan State last time out to sit at 6-1 this season. After this game, North Carolina will head home for a game against Georgetown.

Tar Heels Off First Loss Of Season

Caleb Wilson leads the Tar Heels in scoring and rebounding with 19.9 PPG and 9.9 RPG along with 2.1 APG while Henri Veesaar has 15.9 PPG with 8.3 RPG. Seth Trimble has 14.5 PPG along with 5 RPG and 3.5 APG while Luka Bogavac has 12 PPG with 2.6 RPG and 3.4 APG to cap off the Tar Heels’ group of double-digit scorers. Kyan Evans has 7.9 PPG with 3 RPG and 4.4 APG to lead the Tar Heels in assists so far this season. As a team, North Carolina is averaging 83.3 PPG on 46.8% shooting from the field, 31.8% from three and 72% from the foul line this season. 

Why the North Carolina Tar Heels will win

• North Carolina has won each of its last eight night games against non-Conference opponents.
• Kentucky has lost each of its last four games against AP-ranked opponents.

Kentucky Wildcats Recap

The Kentucky Wildcats come into this game looking to add on to their 104-54 win over Tennessee Tech last time out to sit at 5-2 this season. After this game, Kentucky will have a marquee matchup at home.

Wildcats Win Back-To-Back Games

Denzel Aberdeen leads Kentucky in scoring with 14 PPG along with 4.3 RPG and 3.4 APG while Otega Oweh has 13 PPG with 3.7 RPG and 2.3 APG. Collin Chandler has 13 PPG with 3.7 RPG and 2.3 APG. Collin Chandler has 11.7 PPG with 3.6 RPG and 2.9 APG and Mouhamed Dioubate has 11.6 PPG with 5.8 RPG and Malachi Moreno has 10.6 PPG with 7.6 RPG to lead the Wildcats in rebounding so far this season and to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Kentucky this year. Jasper Johnson also has 7.7 PPG with 3.6 APG as well this year. As a team, Kentucky is averaging 89.9 PPG on 50.5% shooting from the field, 35.3% from three and 74.2% from the foul line this season.

Why the Kentucky Wildcats will win

• Kentucky has won each of its last 19 night games against non-Conference opponents at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.
• North Carolina has lost each of its last six games against the Southeastern Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Each of North Carolina’s last seven games against AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 161 or fewer points.
• Seven of Kentucky’s last eight night games at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center have produced a total of 159 or fewer points.

North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Kentucky Wildcats Prediction

I’m on Kentucky in this game. I think that the Wildcats are just the better team and I think Rupp Arena is going to be electric for this matchup. The Tar Heels are talented, but I also don’t really trust Hubert Davis in these big matchups. I’ll go with Kentucky at home here.