North Carolina vs Michigan State Prediction 3-23-24 College Basketball Picks

In this article we will formulate a North Carolina vs Michigan State betting prediction for this NCAA Tournament college basketball game on Saturday, March 23rd at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:

• The North Carolina recent form and recent player performance 
• The Michigan State recent form and recent play performance
• Recent Betting trends and streaks involving North Carolina
• Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Michigan State
• Recent betting trends in games played between North Carolina and Michigan State
• A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between North Carolina and Michigan State

North Carolina Preview

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 28-7 (17-3) this season after they defeated Wagner by a score of 90-62 in their last game. North Carolina led 40-28 at the half and they added 50 second half points for the easy win. The Tar Heels shot 55% from the field and were +19 in rebounding margin in the game. North Carolina has won nine of their last ten games, with the lone loss coming against NC State in the ACC Tournament. The Tar Heels are scoring 81.7 points per game with 41.2 rebounds per game and 14.5 assists per game, while allowing 70 points against per game this year. RJ Davis is averaging 21.4 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, and 3.5 assists per game. North Carolina is shooting 44.9% from the field, 75.4% on free throws, and 35.4% on three pointers this season.

Michigan State Preview

The Michigan State Spartans are 20-14 (10-10) this year after they defeated Mississippi State by a score of 69-51 in their last game. Michigan State led 31-24 at halftime and they held Mississippi State to only 27 second half points in the win. The Spartans shot 50% from the field and made 10 three pointers in the game. Michigan State has lost five of their last eight games, but they played one of their best games of the season in the first round. The Spartans are scoring 73 points per game with 34.6 rebounds per game and 16.2 assists per game, while giving up 65.5 points against per game this season. Tyson Walker is averaging 18.2 points per game, 2.9 rebounds per game, and 2.9 assists per game. Michigan State is shooting 46.1% from the field, 70.6% on free throws, and 35.9% on three pointers this year. 

North Carolina vs Michigan State Betting Prediction

Michigan State comes into this game after playing one of their best games of the season against Mississippi State in the first round, but can they repeat that performance here? The Spartans finished the regular season playing pretty poorly and they will face a very good North Carolina team here. The Tar Heels have won nine of their last ten games and they are scoring over 81 points per game this season. This line is much closer than I thought it would be, but I have to take UNC in this matchup. North Carolina has been very dominant this season, while Michigan State has just been an average team for most of the year. I am not willing to back Michigan State after one good performance, but we will see if their first round blowout was a fluke or not. Take the Tar Heels here.