North Carolina Targ Heels vs. Ohio State Buckeyes College Basketball prediction, preview
The Tar Heel’s resume is surprisingly strong for a team laying such a short number on a neutral against a mediocre Ohio State team. UNC’s only loss this season remains to Michigan State on a neutral, and has big wins over Kansas at home and Kentucky on the road. I wouldn’t say the Heels have had all that many difficult tests, but those are three solid measuring stick games.
That’s more than Ohio State can say, with its only true test a loss to an Illinois team that appears to be somewhat comparable to North Carolina. The Buckeyes also lost as a favorite to Pittsburgh, and barely escaped West Virginia as a favorite in their last game, failing to cover.
The Tar Heels have the talent and size advantages in this game, and Caleb Wilson should be the best player on the floor. Bruce Thornton has been a tremendous scorer for Ohio State so far this season, and is shooting an unfathomable 50% from downtown. I have to believe regression is on the way there, particularly against a UNC defense that ranks in the top-25 in defensive rating on KenPom.
I’ll lay 2.5 with the Tar Heels on what I feel is a light opener for this matchup on a neutral. For my full analysis on the game, check out the DKN Daily Bets podcast by clicking here.
