College Basketball Odds, Picks, Predictions for North Carolina vs. Charleston: Lots of Buckets Expected
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- A mid-major hosting a high-major? North Carolina travels to Charleston for a rare non-conference duel.
- The Tar Heels have struggled on the defensive end, surrendering 87 points to Brown.
- Ky McKeon of Three Man Weave breaks down the matchup and offers up his three best bets.
North Carolina vs. Charleston Odds
| North Carolina Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-12.5 -105 | 162.5 -110o / -110u | -730 |
| Charleston Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+12.5 -115 | 162.5 -110o / -110u | +510 |
North Carolina heads to Charleston for a rare “power school at mid-major” matchup.
The Tar Heels have looked shaky to start the season, merely surviving and not covering against either Loyola (MD) or Brown.
Charleston enters the contest 3-0, with a win over Loyola (MD) itself and two more victories over mid-to-low-majors.
Whether UNC covers or Charleston hangs inside the number, one thing is for certain — there’s going to be a boat-load of points.
North Carolina Tar Heels
The Tar Heels are playing fast under new head coach Hubert Davis, just as they did under Roy Williams the past several seasons.
While it’s not quite as transition focused as under Williams, UNC’s offense still ranks 42nd in the country in shortest possession length.
Meanwhile, UNC has a massive size advantage. Charleston’s only true big man is 7-foot JUCO transfer Charles Lampten, who currently sports a foul rate of 11.4 per 40 minutes. That’s over twice the legal limit!
He might set a record for the fastest person to foul trouble in a single game on Tuesday night.
Charleston’s alternative frontcourt options are a 6-foot-8 freshman and 6-foot-6 John Meeks, who is an excellent player but far too small to guard the likes of Armando Bacot, Dawson Garcia and Brady Manek.
Charleston Cougars
Charleston is blazing fast. The Cougars are currently the second-fastest overall team on an adjusted tempo basis, per KenPom.
Head coach Pat Kelsey has completely changed the style the program was accustomed to under Earl Grant, whose last team played at just the 345th “fastest” tempo nationally.
In its three games this season, Charleston has allowed over 74 points per game. And it’s not like the Cougars are playing offensive juggernauts.
South Carolina State, Lipscomb and Loyola (MD) are all below average to poor offensive teams. Imagine what a team like North Carolina can do against the porous Charleston defense.
North Carolina vs. Charleston Betting Pick
Even though the Cougars' defense is poor, they’ll score a ton of points. Kelsey has a talented squad, chock full of high-scoring guards who can put points on the board in a hurry. Kelsey will have no interest in slowing this game down, and UNC is anything but stout defensively in transition.
The number is sure to be high in this game, but I trust that it’s warranted. UNC eclipsing the century mark is a very real possibility.
Pick: Over 158
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