North Carolina vs UConn Odds, Pick for Tuesday

The UConn Huskies suffered their first loss of the season last week at Kansas, but they look to get back to their winning ways against a tough North Carolina Tar Heels team in the Jimmy V Classic.

This matchup promises to offer a battle of elite big men in the paint, yet it could be decided by guard play on the perimeter.

Here's North Carolina vs. UConn odds and a pick for Tuesday.

Carolina fans certainly have to be pleased with the Heels to date. Hubert Davis and company are playing fast, scoring a ton of points and haven't lost a game in regulation yet this season (having only dropped an overtime game to Villanova).

This season's roster is a mix of talent from various sources. RJ Davis and Armando Bacot have combined to play 249 games in Carolina blue. They are joined in the starting lineup by transfers Harrison Ingram (Stanford) and Cormac Ryan (North Carolina), as well as freshman guard Elliot Cadeau.

Cadeau's development feels like the real ceiling changer for UNC this year. He got off to a rocky start — with eight turnovers in three games against low-major opponents — but he rebounded with just two total turnovers in the next five games.

He's shown an ability to score when needed (15 points vs. Northern Iowa) or be a creator. He didn't make a shot from the field against Tennessee, but his 10 assists in that game were a catalyst for an offensive explosion. The Heels topped 60 points by halftime and hung 100 on the Vols by the final whistle.

North Carolina is one of the most experienced teams in the nation by total collegiate games played, yet it doesn't have a ton of continuity together. It's shown at times on the defensive end, where this Carolina team needs to step up if it wants to be ranked among the best in the nation.

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UConn put up a valiant effort in Lawrence, facing a Jayhawk program that rarely loses at home.

Though the Huskies weren't able to collect a win (or cover a small spread), UConn showed it was among the elite teams in college hoops. Even threatening Kansas — amidst one of the toughest atmospheres in the sport — is worthy of admiration.

On the offensive end of the floor, 7-foot sophomore Donovan Clingan had one of his lesser performances of the season, mustering just eight points against the defense of All-American Hunter Dickinson.

UConn was buoyed by the coming out party of point guard Tristen Newton. Last season, Newton was a complementary scorer, failing to hit double digits in 22 of 39 games.

This year, his role was expected to remain similar with five-star freshman Stephon Castle in the lineup. Castle has been sidelined due to injury, and Newton has responded. He's averaging 17.5 points per game and notched 31 in the game at Kansas. His shot-making against defensive pressure kept the Huskies in the game for long stretches.

The biggest question for UConn right now is depth, especially until Castle is 100%. Dan Hurley has four or five players he can rely on before he begins to count heavily on young, unproven players to contribute.

Games like the one at Allen Fieldhouse are a good barometer for those players right now. Hurley only played seven guys and his top four scored 55 of the Huskies' 65 points.

Keep an eye on bench production on Tuesday.

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The premier matchup in this game is Bacot versus Clingan. At times, that battle of the big men will look like something out of a Godzilla movie. Both are dominant rebounders who use their size and strength to clear the space needed to score around the rim.

I'll have a keen eye on how that battle is being officiated, with quick whistles on either leading to foul trouble and issues on the interior for that team.

Ultimately, however, this game will be decided on the perimeter. North Carolina has to prove that it can defend in space against shooters, which UConn has in spades.

I don't know that Newton can shoot like he did in Lawrence again, but Cam Spencer and Alex Karaban will be ready for the open looks they get.

Add in a pro-Huskies crowd at Madison Square Garden, and this feels like a great spot for UConn to nab a win following a loss.

Pick: UConn -5 or Better

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