Notre Dame vs North Carolina Prediction 1-4-25 College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Notre Dame vs North Carolina Prediction for this college basketball game on Saturday, January 4th, at the Joyce Center. Let’s take a look at a North Carolina Tar Heels vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish Pick. 

How Can Notre Dame Bounce Back?

Notre Dame in the last game faced off against Georgia Tech and it wasn’t a good game. The offense scored 75 points which isn’t bad, but it’s not good enough when the defense is giving up 86 points. At halftime, they were down 43-24 and although they fought back in the second half they still ended up losing. Notre Dame shot 43.6 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from behind the three-point line. They allowed Georgia Tech to shoot 56.6 percent from the field and 40 percent from deep. Forward Tae Davis had a strong game putting up 27 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. 

Notre Dame overall has a 7-6 record and they have gone 5-6-2 against the spread. At home this season straight up though they were 6-1. Notre Dame is averaging 75.8 points while their defense is giving up 70.6 points per game. The offense is ranked 182nd in the league while the defense is ranked 164th. Forward Tae Davis has been the top player averaging 16.6 points while shooting 47.7 percent from the field. Guard Markus Burton is dealing with a knee injury and is out. Not having him is a huge loss. 

North Carolina Can’t Slip Up

North Carolina has not had a great season and this isn’t a game that they can slip up in. The Tar Heels sit with an 8-6 record and they have gone 5-9 against the spread. In the last game against Louisville, UNC scored only 70 points, but the defense gave up 83 points and that led to the defeat. The defense gave up 46 points in the second half and that led to the defeat. Guard Ian Jackson had a huge game putting up 23 points, four rebounds, and one assist. The Tar Heels shot 40 percent from the field and 25 percent from behind the three-point line. 

North Carolina on the season is averaging 85.4 points while their defense is giving up 79.6 points per game. The offense is ranked 20th in the league while the defense is ranked 337th. They are averaging 63.1 shot attempts per game and they like to push the pace. Seth Trimble is dealing with an upper-body injury and he’s questionable for this game. RJ Davis has been the top player for this team averaging 18.4 points while shooting 37.4 percent from the field. There were four different players that put up at least 10.7 points per game. 

Why North Carolina Will Beat Notre Dame

• North Carolina has won each of its last 11 day games against Conference opponents.
• Notre Dame has lost 14 of its last 18 day games against Conference opponents.
• Notre Dame has lost the first half in seven of its last nine games against Conference opponents.

Notre Dame vs North Carolina Prediction

North Carolina is going to have no issue getting the job done here. North Carolina is averaging 85.4 points per game and they are going to have no issue running up the score here. Notre Dame’s defense is giving up 70.6 points per game and they are going to really struggle here. Notre Dame is a fine offensive team, but they aren’t great, and that will be the difference. UNC is going to try and prove that they are still for real. This is going to be a comfortable victory. Back North Carolina against the spread.