In this article we will formulate a San Diego State vs North Carolina prediction for this College Basketball game on Tuesday, March 18th at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this game in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament.
San Diego State Aztecs Betting Preview
The San Diego State Aztecs are 21-9 (14-6) this season after they lost to Boise State by a score of 62-52 in the Quarterfinals of the Mountain West Tournament. San Diego State led 33-28 at halftime, but they only scored 19 points in the second half in the loss. The Aztecs shot 38.3% from the field, 33.3% on three pointers, and 60% on free throws in the game. Nick Boyd led San Diego State with 20 points and three assists, while Jared Coleman-Jones added seven points and nine rebounds in the loss.
Prior to that game, the Aztecs defeated Nevada by a score of 80-61, but did lose to UNLV by a score of 74-67 before that. San Diego State has won three of their last five games and they finished tied for fourth in the Mountain West standings with a 14-6 record. The Aztecs did pickup wins against UC San Diego, Creighton, and Houston in the non-conference, while losing to Gonzaga by 13 points and Oregon by 10 points. San Diego State has scored 70.9 points per game and they have allowed 63.6 points against per game, while also averaging 35.4 rebounds and 13.1 assists per game this season. Nick Boyd is averaging 13.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, while Miles Byrd is averaging 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game this year. San Diego State is shooting 44.4% from the field, 66.6% on free throws, and 33.5% on three pointers this season.
North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Preview
The North Carolina Tar Heels are 22-13 (13-7) this year after they lost to Duke by a score of 74-71 in their last game. North Carolina trailed 45-24 at halftime, but they did score 47 points in the second half and had a chance to win at the end, but went 0-1 on a free throw + a lane violation for the loss. The Tar Heels shot 47.3% from the field, 17.6% on three pointers, and 66.7% on free throws in the game. Ven-Allen Lubin led UNC with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Elliot Cadeau added 15 points and five assists in the loss.
Prior to that game, the Tar Heels defeated Wake Forest by a score of 68-59 and Notre Dame by a score of 76-56. North Carolina has won eight of their last ten games and they finished tied for fourth in the ACC standings with a 13-7 record. The Tar Heels did beat UCLA in the non-conference, but they also have losses against Kansas, Auburn, Michigan State, Alabama, and Florida. North Carolina has scored 80.8 points per game and they have allowed 75 points against per game, while also averaging 36.7 rebounds and 14.6 assists per game this season. RJ Davis is averaging 17.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, while Ian Jackson is averaging 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game this year. North Carolina is shooting 47.6% from the field, 73.7% on free throws, and 35.3% on three pointers this season.
Why North Carolina will beat San Diego State
- North Carolina has won each of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- San Diego State has lost four of its last five games when playing with a rest advantage.
- North Carolina has won the first half in each of its last 17 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of North Carolina’s last 23 games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 150+ points.
- Nine of San Diego State’s last 10 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue have produced a total of 142 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- San Diego State ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal percentage this season (37.9%).
- San Diego State ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (20.9).
- North Carolina ranks 21st among Division 1 teams for field goals made per game this season (29.1).
- North Carolina ranks T24th among Division 1 teams for points per game this season (81.7).
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San Diego State vs North Carolina Prediction
There is a lot of controversy surrounding North Carolina and the legitimacy of them making this tournament, but there is no denying how well they are currently playing. The Tar Heels have won eight of their last ten games, with most of those wins coming by at least 10 points. San Diego State played very poorly in the second half in their last game against Boise State and their offense is a bit too inconsistent for my liking. I know UNC has a tendency to play poor defense, but I think their strong offense will be the difference. Take North Carolina here.