North Carolina vs Georgia Tech Prediction 12-7-24 College Basketball Picks

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the North Carolina Tar Heels meet Saturday in college basketball action from Dean Smith Center. Here’s a North Carolina vs Georgia Tech prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best North Carolina vs Georgia Tech pick.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Betting Preview

The Jackets managed a 2-3 run over their first five games. The losses in that time were to North Florida, Georgia, and Cincinnati. After wins versus Charleston Southern and Central Arkansas, Georgia Tech then fell to Oklahoma.

In Tuesday’s matchup versus Oklahoma, the Yellow Jackets were ahead by four points going into the second half. Georgia Tech faltered from there in a 46-27 deficit and lost 76-61, however. Jaeden Mustaf came off the bench for a team-high 16 points in the defeat.

North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Preview

Over on the North Carolina side, they went 4-1 to start the year. The Tar Heels beat Elon, American, Hawaii, and Dayton in that time. North Carolina is 0-3 since then with losses to Auburn, Michigan State, and Alabama, though.

Matched up against Alabama on Wednesday, the Tar Heels trailed by nine points at halftime. North Carolina didn’t end up getting closer than that in a 94-79 loss. Ian Jackson was the top scorer on the team with 23 points and five boards off the bench.

Why the North Carolina Tar Heels will win

• North Carolina has won each of its last 18 day games at Dean E. Smith Center.
• Georgia Tech has lost five of its last six day games against AP-ranked opponents.
• North Carolina has won the first half in 12 of its last 14 day games at Dean E. Smith Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will win

• North Carolina has lost each of its last three games.
• North Carolina has lost the first half in each of its last four games.

North Carolina vs Georgia Tech Prediction

I’ll lean toward North Carolina. The Tar Heels had some struggles against a good Alabama team in their last outing, shooting just 5-of-28 (17.9 percent) from 3-point range alongside 13 turnovers. North Carolina has now lost three straight, but to be fair two of those were against ranked teams and the other was an overtime defeat.

As for Georgia Tech, they shot 41.5 percent from the field against Oklahoma but also committed 11 turnovers and got out-rebounded 37-33. The Yellow Jackets have been below 70 points in three of their last five games, with all three being losses. North Carolina is going to have their hands full dictating the pace here, but I think the Tar Heels can pull off the cover if they can keep the Yellow Jackets offense in check.