Miami Hurricanes vs. North Carolina Tar Heels First Half Pick

Miami (FL) Hurricanes (15-13 SU, 13-13-2 ATS) vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (21-6 SU, 16-11 ATS)

When: Monday, February 26th, 7:00 PM (ET)

Where: Dean E. Smith Center, NC, Chapel Hill

TV: ESPN

Point Spread: MIA +14/NCAR -14

Total: 154.5

Money Line: Miami (FL) Hurricanes +720/-1210

Notable Injuries

Hurricanes

• Nijel Pack (Questionable) Lower Body

Tar Heels

Recent Form

After losing to Georgia Tech by a score of 80-76, Miami (FL) enters this game with a record of 15-13. Over their last 10 games, the Hurricanes have gone just 2-8.

On the season, Miami (FL) has gone 2-8 on the road, and they have lost their last four games away from home. As the underdog, the Hurricanes have gone 2-9, and they are currently on a six-game losing streak.

Today’s over/under line of 154.5 is higher than the average over/under line in Miami’s games this season (152.7). So far, 15 of their games have finished with more points than today’s line. Over their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1.

As the underdog this season, Miami has gone just 4-6-1 vs. the spread, and they have an overall ATS mark of 13-13-2. On the road, their ATS record is 3-6-1, and they have gone 0-3 vs. the spread in their last three road games.

North Carolina enters this contest as a 14-point favorite, and they have been the favored team in 25 of their 27 games this season. They have gone 20-5 in those games, including a 13-2 record at home.

Coming off a 54-44 win over Virginia, the Tar Heels are 21-6 overall and have won two straight games. Over their last 10 contests at home, they have gone 9-1.

This season, the over/under record for North Carolina games is 14-13. So far, their games have averaged 152.2 points compared to an average over/under line of 153.1, resulting in an average margin of -1 points. This year, 11 of their games have had a higher over/under line than today’s line of 154.5. In their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1 with an average scoring total of 146 points.

North Carolina has an ATS record of 16-11 this season, going 9-6 vs. the spread at home. Over their last 10 games as the favorite, the Tar Heels are 6-4 vs. the spread, and they are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games.

Analysis

In their latest game, the Miami (FL) offense put up 76 points against Georgia Tech. They recorded an overall field goal percentage of 42% and made 13 threes. On the offensive front, the Hurricanes have a season-long field goal percentage of 46%, ranking 124th nationally. When it comes to three-point shooting, they are ranked 66th in terms of percentage and 41st in three-pointers made.

Currently, the Hurricanes’ defense holds the 207th rank in the nation, allowing 73.2 points per game. The Miami (FL) defense is coming off a game in which they gave up a total of 80 points and allowed Georgia Tech to connect on 13 threes.

The North Carolina offense, in their latest game, managed to score just 54 points versus Virginia. During the game, they attempted 22 three-point shots and had a field goal percentage of 32%. Cormac Ryan led the scoring for the Tar Heels, contributing 18 points. Additionally, RJ Davis chipped in with 12 points.

On defense, North Carolina is currently around the NCAA average in points allowed, giving up an average of 70.4 points per game. So far, the North Carolina defense is giving up an average of 7.4 offensive rebounds per game and are turning teams over 10 times per game (417th).

Betting Trends

• In their last ten games away from home, the Hurricanes have a straight-up record of 2-8 while going 3-6-1 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 67 points per game in these contests.
• In their last five games at home, the Tar Heels have a straight up record of 3-2 while going 2-3 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 71 points per game in these contests.
• In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Hurricanes have a straight up record of 2-8 and an ATS mark of 4-5-1.
• Although the Tar Heels have a strong straight up record in their last five games as the betting favorite, they have not done as well vs the spread going 2-3.

Crew’s Pick To Cover The Spread

UNC is a good first half team with a seasonal scoring margin of +9.5 points. Look for Tar Heel RJ Davis coming off a 1-14 game versus UVA to come out flying for this game. Take UNC -8 -110 first half.