Syracuse Orange vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Odds - Point Spread Pick
Date:
April 2, 8:49 pm
Location:
NRG Stadium
TV:
CBS
Betting Odds
Point Spread:
North Carolina -9.5
Total:
145
<p>The Syracuse Orange and North Carolina Tar Heels will meet in Houston, Texas for a Final Four match-up. Syracuse is the first 10 seed to ever qualify for a Final Four. Syracuse and UNC are co-ACC foes and have met twice this year where UNC swept the Orange in both affairs. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:45 PM, to be aired on CBS. The betting odds on this Final Four contest opened with the Tar Heels as a 9-point favorite and a total line of 144.5.
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<p>North Carolina boasts one of the nation's best scoring offenses, averaging 83 points per game (10th Nationally) and shooting 48.2% from the field. The Tar Heels are also a rebound specialist, averaging 40.7 boards per game and giving up 28.5 rebounds per game. UNC went to work on Indiana and Notre Dame, defeating the Hoosiers and Irish by an average margin of 14.5 points.
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<p>Coach Jim Boeheim continues to lead the charge and Syracuse enters with an exclamation point. Syracuse would piece together a 25-4 run in the second half against No.1 Virginia to knock off the Cavaliers 68-62. The Orange rank in the top 25 nationally in three of four major defensive categories, including scoring defense (25th), opponent three-point field goal percentage (18th) and opponent free throw percentage (22th). These metrics undoubtedly were fundamental in leading the Orange to victory, as their offense is not a strong unit.
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<div class="heading">Straight Up and Against the Point Spread Records:</div>
<p>North Carolina Tar Heels, 32-6 SU, 19-18 ATS<br><br />
Syracuse Orange, 23-13 SU, 20-15 ATS</p>
<div class="heading">Key Betting Trends:</div>
<ul>
<li>CUSE has won their last four fixtures.</li>
<li>UNC has won their last eight games.</li>
<li>Both teams are 7-3 against the spread in their last ten matches.</li>
</ul>
<div class="heading">Public Money:</div>
<p>Currently 67% of the money is with the Heels. On the Money Line, Cuse is offered at 430, UNC is priced at -550 and 73% have taken the Tar Heels as well. As for the Total Line, 88% are aboard the under, currently that number is sitting at 145.</p>
Syracuse Orange vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Pick
What is intriguing is the lack of reaction from the public in spite of what Syracuse has achieved. UNC has been dominant throughout this tournament, they seem to be outright better than every team they encounter. In addition to routing Indiana and Notre Dame, the Tar Heels are also responsible for making an example of the Providence Friars. Syracuse rests on the list of UNC victims over the span of their winning streak, but the margin of victory was just five in that fixture (75-70).
The Orange appear to be a fluke to the public, reflected in their heavy lean on the Tar Heels. However, Syracuse's second half performance against the Cavaliers, one of the nation's best defenses would suggest this team can be a menace for all that come across it. Cuse has nothing to lose, they have already exceeded expectation and will likely enter looser than UNC who was forecasted to win a national title.
Free Pick:
Syracuse +9.5
