Kentucky Wildcats vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
Saturday, 12/14/13, 5:15 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: North Carolina -3
Current Betting Line: North Carolina -3
Opening Total: N/A
Current Total: N/A
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Kentucky is coming off a 70-55 victory over the Boise State Broncos as 11-point home favorites Tuesday, while going UNDER the betting total in a fourth consecutive opportunity. The Wildcats continue to be led offensively by true freshman forward Julius Randle, who has scored in double-figures in all 10 games this season, which is important to consider when making your college basketball predictions. His eight double-double efforts this season are the most of any player nationally. Kentucky is 1-2 SUATS as road underdogs of three or fewer points the last two-plus seasons.
The Wildcats are 13-22 SU all-time against the Tar Heels, but they’ve won three of the last four meetings, which can’t be ignored when looking over the college basketball odds page. Kentucky controls the paint by swatting away opponents’ shots at the baskets, which is clearly evident in sophomore Willie Cauley-Stein’s 43 blocks in the first 10 games this season. Offensively, the team ranks fifth in the country in efficiency, which is an improvement of 37 spots from a season ago.
North Carolina will look to win its third game in a row and beat a nationally-ranked foe for the third time this season, as it has played one of the toughest non-conference schedules to date. The Tar Heels have had limited practice time this week due to fall semester finals, while they were last seen on the floor picking up a resounding 81-50 victory over UNCG last Saturday. North Carolina is 17-7-1 ATS versus SEC opponents in its last 25 opportunities.
Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams has compiled an even 7-7 record in his career against the Wildcats, including a 6-4 mark during his time in Chapel Hill. North Carolina will rely heavily on point guard Marcus Paige to control the tempo in this game, while also harass Kentucky’s floor leader Andrew Harrison on the defensive end.
Sports bettors will likely back the Tar Heels due to their 9-4 ATS mark in their last 13 home games.
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