North Carolina and Clemson have two games remaining on their regular season schedules. This matchup is a major one as they’re tied in the ACC standings at 11-5.
This is the first matchup between these two squads, and it’ll take place on North Carolina’s home court.
The Tar Heels are 3.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game total is set at 142.5 points.
Here’s my prediction, preview and pick for Tuesday’s North Carolina vs. Clemson matchup.
North Carolina vs. Clemson prediction, preview
The best month for college hoops is here, and with it comes the most intense competition. It’s not quite conference tournament time, but the final couple games of the regular season are paramount for seeding.
North Carolina has been riding without star freshman Caleb Wilson and will be without him again in this matchup. The team is 4-1 since Wilson fractured his left hand, and there has been four different leading scorers in the five games. It’s proof that North Carolina is more than just a one-man show. It has a competent group, but it will still be tested at home against Clemson.
The Tigers started the ACC schedule 10-1 before losing four straight to Virginia Tech, No. 4 Duke, Wake Forest and Florida State. They did, however, defeat No. 24 Louisville in the last matchup, ending the skid. This is a tough matchup, even with Wilson out for the Tar Heels. North Carolina is 17-0 on its home court this season, while Clemson is 6-4 on the road.
Clemson is also just 2-3 against AP Top 25 teams, so No. 17 North Carolina could pose some trouble. The two wins they have are against No. 24 SMU and No. 24 Louisville. There’s a lot of weight on this game as Clemson could use a major ranked victory to add to its resume.
North Carolina vs. Clemson pick, best bet
Considering how well North Carolina has played at home and without Wilson, it’s a bit surprising that the spread is 3.5 points. The Tar Heels are 4-1 since losing Wilson to injury, and Clemson just had its worst stretch of the season, going 1-4.
The Tar Heels should remain undefeated at home and cover the 3.5-point spread.