Duke Blue Devils (16-4) vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (17-4)
February 3, 2024 6:30 pm EDT
The Line: North Carolina Tar Heels -4.5; Over/Under: +153.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Duke Blue Devils are riding a 3-game winning streak. The North Carolina Tar Heels look for a win after winning 10 of their last 11 games. Let’s preview this game and give out a Duke Blue Devils vs North Carolina Tar Heels prediction.
Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview
The Duke Blue Devils beat Louisville, Clemson and Virginia Tech during their streak. The Duke Blue Devils are averaging 81 points on 48.2 percent shooting and allowing 67.2 points on 43.3 percent shooting. Kyle Filipowski is averaging 17.5 points and 8.7 rebounds, while Jeremy Roach is averaging 13.9 points and 2.3 rebounds. Mark Mitchell is the third double-digit scorer and Jared McCain is grabbing 4.3 rebounds. The Duke Blue Devils are shooting 38.7 percent from beyond the arc and 73.4 percent from the free throw line. The Duke Blue Devils are allowing 33.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.1 rebounds per game.
North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Preview
The North Carolina Tar Heels recently beat Florida State but lost to Georgia Tech. The North Carolina Tar Heels are averaging 82.6 points on 45.1 percent shooting and allowing 69.2 points on 39.8 percent shooting. RJ Davis is averaging 21.5 points and 3.7 rebounds, while Armando Bacot is averaging 13.4 points and 9.9 rebounds. Harrison Ingram is the third double-digit scorer and Cormac Ryan is grabbing 3.3 rebounds. The North Carolina Tar Heels are shooting 35.2 percent from beyond the arc and 75.4 percent from the free throw line. The North Carolina Tar Heels are allowing 29.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 38.5 rebounds per game.
Duke Blue Devils vs North Carolina Tar Heels prediction
There’s been a long history of close games between Duke and North Carolina, and you’re not going to get the Blue Devils in the underdog role often the rest of the season. With that said, the North Carolina Tar Heels have just been the sharper team this season and have the better defense, which is key in a rivalry game where the Dean E. Smith Center is going to be going nuts. That’s just going to feed UNC even more. North Carolina is undefeated at home this season, and Duke has failed to cover 5 of its last 7 games. I need more points to consider Duke. Give me UNC.
