Northern Iowa vs UNC Odds, Picks | NCAAB Betting Preview & Prediction (Nov. 22)
Grant Halverson/Getty Images. Pictured: RJ Davis (North Carolina).
Northern Iowa vs UNC Odds
| Northern Iowa Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+11.5 -105 | 149.5 -110o / -110u | +575 |
| North Carolina Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-11.5 -115 | 149.5 -110o / -110u | -900 |
A Thanksgiving appetizer awaits when Northern Iowa takes on North Carolina in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. This tournament is always one of the most exciting during Feast Week, and this game will be no exception.
The Tar Heels are rolling entering this first-round matchup, with three wins in their first three games.
Northern Iowa can't say the same, as it has yet to beat a Division I opponent through two weeks.
These programs have a little bit of history against each other, as they played three years in a row from 2015 to 2017. Northern Iowa won the first game in the series before the Tar Heels won the next two.
Carolina will look to build off its early-season momentum, and this will be an interesting test. Here's Northern Iowa vs. North Carolina odds and a pick, including an NCAAB betting guide for Wednesday, Nov. 22.
The Northern Iowa program historically has been a mid-major known to give high-major teams problems. That hasn't been the case in the last calendar year, though.
Last season, the Panthers went just 14-18 overall, losing nine of their last 11 games.
That downward slide has continued into the beginning of this year, as Northern Iowa has lost its only two games against Division I opponents, an overtime loss to North Texas and a nine-point defeat on the road against South Florida.
Those teams aren't cupcakes, but they aren't North Carolina either. Northern Iowa doesn't provide much resistance defensively (172nd in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency) and is even worse defending the 3-point line specifically (allowing 41.9% from deep).
They will have their hands full with the Tar Heels.
Enter North Carolina, which has handled all three opponents it's faced with relative ease.
Despite playing a back-and-forth game with Radford, Carolina ultimately prevailed by 16 points. The Heels have scored 77, 90 and 86 points in three games and will look to push tempo against a Panthers team that prefers to play slower.
North Carolina currently ranks 18th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency (KenPom), which will be a monstrous challenge for the Panthers to guard. RJ Davis has been incredible, and with Cormac Ryan and Harrison Ingram alongside him as new wings, the Heels have more cohesiveness as an offensive unit than they've had in years.
Carolina is great at avoiding fouls, ranking third in the country in free throw attempt % allowed. That maps with Northern Iowa, which rarely ever gets to the line.
There won't be anything easy for the Panthers in this one.
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Northern Iowa vs UNC
Betting Pick & Prediction
It's hard to see Northern Iowa hanging in this one for 40 minutes. The Panthers have the offensive gusto to make some shots early, but much like North Carolina's first game against Radford, the Tar Heels are too deep and too talented on both sides of the ball for this to remain close for long.
I like North Carolina to earn a decisive cover to start the Battle 4 Atlantis off right.
Pick: North Carolina -12.5
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