North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Analysis & Point Spread Pick

North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Analysis & Point Spread Pick

Rich Crew
Date: December 17, 3:00 pm
Location: Madison Square Garden
TV: CBS

Betting Odds

Point Spread: UNC +2.5/OSU -2.5
Total: 149.5

<p> An interesting match-up of two teams that have struggled at times in the early season has Ohio State and UNC playing an afternoon match at the Garden in New York. The Buckeyes are a slight -2.5 to -3 favorite depending on where you lay your action with the O/U line at 149.5 at most shops.</p>
<h2>LineMovement</h2>
<p><b>Opening Lines:</b> North Carolina Opened At -1.5, Currently -1/ Ohio State Opened At +1.5,<br />
Currently, +1</p>
<h2>Last Game Info</h2>
<p>North Carolina picked up a victory over Citadel by a score of 100-67. Heading into the game,<br />
the Tar Heels were favored to win, with a point spread of -26.5. The combined 167 points finished<br />
above the 145.5 total line.</p>
<p>Ohio State is coming off a 67-66 win over Rutgers. However, they did not cover the spread in<br />
the game as -6 point favorites. The combined 133 points did not surpass the 136.5 total line.</p>
<h2>Current Form</h2>
<p><b>North Carolina</b><br><br />
Over their last five games, North Carolina, has a straight-up record of 2-3 while going 2-3 vs.<br />
the spread. Over this stretch, the Tar Heels offense averages 82.6 points per game while hitting<br />
43.9% of their shots from the field. On the defensive end of the floor, they have allowed<br />
opponents to shoot 44.6% from the field while allowing 77.2 points per contest.</p>
<p><b>Ohio State</b><br><br />
In their previous five contests, Ohio State is 4-1 straight-up and 3-2 vs. the spread. In these<br />
five games, they have a scoring average of 79.2 points per game on a shooting percentage of<br />
48.6%. Defensively, they allow teams to hit 45.5% of their shots while giving up 66.4 points per<br />
game.</p>
<h2>Average Power Rating Of Opponents Played</h2>
<p>This season, the combined power rating of North Carolina's opponents comes in at 67.<br />
Conversely, Ohio State's combined opponent power rating sits at 152.</p>
<h2>Offense vs. Defense</h2>
<p>For the season, North Carolina is averaging 77.5 points per game (45th) while posting an<br />
overall field goal percentage of 45.3%. In today's game, they will be matched up against an Ohio<br />
State defense that has allowed an average of 63.6 points per contest. This year, opponents have<br />
hit 40.7% of their shots vs. Ohio State. On the other side, the Ohio State Buckeyes are coming<br />
into the game averaging 73.8 points per game on a shooting percentage of 47.4%. The Buckeyes will<br />
be facing a defensive unit allowing an average of 73.5 points per contest. So far, teams have hit<br />
42.7% of their shots vs. the Tar Heels.</p>
<p> <section></p>
<ul>
<li>
<span style="font-size:16px; color:#008000;">Get more details:</span> <a href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/ncaab/matchup/1727861">North Carolina vs. Ohio State 12/17/22 Betting Stats</a>
</li>
</ul>
<p></section></p>
<h2>Three-Point Shooting</h2>
<p>From beyond the arc, North Carolina has a shooting percentage of 36.2% while ranking 304th in<br />
attempts per game. The Tar Heels will be facing an Ohio State defense that has a 3-point field<br />
goal shooting percentage allowed of 28.2%. Ohio State enters the game, hitting 37.3% of their<br />
looks from deep while averaging 8.1 made 3's per game. On the other end, North Carolina has<br />
allowed opponents to hit 33.4% of their shots from beyond the arc.</p>
<h2>Injuries Of Note</h2>
<h2>North Carolina</h2>
<ul>
<li>D'Marco Dunn (Out) Hand</li>
</ul>
<h2>Ohio State</h2>
<ul>
<li>Isaac Likekele (Out) Personal</li>
<li>Eugene Brown III (Out) Concussion</li>
</ul>

North Carolina vs. Ohio State Prediction ATS

This a tough call versus the spread, as i can see a couple of scenarios on how this will play out. But one thing is commong in both and that is the scoring. I think both squads can hit or surpass 75 points making the Over the way to b et this game. 

Free Pick: Take the Over 149.5
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