UNC vs Virginia Odds, Pick for Saturday

We’ve got a big one Saturday afternoon in Charlottesville, as two of the top teams in the ACC square off for the first and only time in the regular season.

North Carolina currently sits atop the conference standings, with Virginia sitting a 1.5 games back in third place. The Tar Heels are the more complete team, but UVA is extremely difficult to beat in John Paul Jones Arena.

A road win on Saturday would go a long way in helping UNC’s chances of taking home an ACC regular-season title. To do that, Carolina must continue to prioritize its defense.

When the Heels have been at their best this season, it has been a result of disciplined and high-energy defense.

Virginia has been very anemic with the ball in its hands in its last two games, failing to reach 50 against both Wake Forest and Virginia Tech.

But that doesn’t mean UNC can just show up and expect to get stops. The Hoos will likely be in for some positive shooting regression, especially if Carolina lightens up at any point.

On the other end of the floor, look for Tony Bennett to throw Reece Beekman on RJ Davis. Beekman is his best defender, and that will force other Tar Heels like Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan to step up and knock down shots.

Armando Bacot will also need to stay out of foul trouble against a UVA front line that shuffles different bodies in and out of the lineup.

Want to learn what the best North Carolina sportsbook promos will be when North Carolina sports betting apps launch on March 11? Learn more.

It’s the same old story for Virginia as it has been for the last couple of seasons. The Hoos are elite defensively and possess two of the best on that end in the conference in Beekman and Ryan Dunn.

On the offensive side, however, it’s a flat-out struggle. Other than Isaac McKneely, the Cavaliers don’t really have anyone who's a reliable shooter from the perimeter.

Beekman is about the only guard who can attack the rim off the bounce, and none of Bennett’s bigs have a polished back-to-the-basket game.

To win at home Saturday, Virginia will look to do what it has done so many times over the years: control the tempo, make Carolina work for every point it scores and win the rebounding battle.

The formula is once again there, but plain and simple, UVA is going to need to shoot the ball better.

The must-have app for college basketball bettors

The best NCAAB betting scoreboard

Free picks from proven pros

Live win probabilities for your bets

DOWNLOAD NOW

Bennett has had UNC’s number throughout his time at Virginia, and I don’t think that trend can be ignored — especially with the Hoos sitting as a home underdog in this one.

I expect a spirited effort from UVA after getting its butt kicked Monday night by rival Virginia Tech. Virginia should shoot it better and also force UNC into settling for some difficult outside shots.

I don’t know that the Hoos have enough firepower to win this one outright, but I can’t pass at the chance to back Bennett as a home dog given that nobody’s been better at finding ways to win when things get ugly.

Pick: Virginia +3