Following back to back final four appearances last season was something of a letdown for North Carolina. The Tar Heels were bounced by Texas A&M in the second round of March Madness last spring. And with two losses already for this season they are not looking like championship material. Conversely Gonzaga is a top Vegas lines NCAA basketball favorite to make the Final Four. Increasingly the Bulldogs are catching national attention and respect. In fact, the Zags are the top ranked program in the country. More emphatically they have also been one of the most profitable teams on the board.
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
Date and Time: Saturday, December 15, 2018, 7 p.m. Eastern
Location: Dean Smith Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
NCAA Betting Online Odds at SBG: Click Here!
Gonzaga vs. North Carolina TV Coverage: ESPN2
North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina has a Vegas lines NCAA basketball record of 7-2 straight up, 4-3-2 vs. the odds, and 7-2 over the total. At the onset it must be taken into account that North Carolina has been off for ten days. Last time out on December 5 the Tar Heels beat North Carolina Wilmington 97-69. North Carolina’s success is from an offense ranked fourth nationally. Counter to that is a leaky defense that ranks 229th for points allowed. Cameron Johnson and Coby White lead with 15 points per game. Additionally, Luke May averages 14 points and nine rebounds per outing.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Gonzaga has an offshore betting sportsbook record of 9-0 straight up, 7-2 vs. the odds, and 7-2 over the total. So too are the Bulldogs an offensive oriented team. Gonzaga has national rankings of second for scoring offense but 272nd for points allowed. And it is that lack of reliable defense that has detractors doubting the Zags championship credentials. Rui Hachimura leads Gonzaga with 22.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Another key contributor is Zach Norvell Jr with 18 points per outing. Concurrently Brandon Clarke averages 16 points and 8.1 rebounds per contest.
Stats to Consider
Gonzaga has been a semi-reliable play as a road team recently. As an example, the Zags have lost just seven of their last 20 games on the board in away action. Four of their last six road tilts have gone over the total. Counter to that is a drop-in value by North Carolina in home games. Consider that the Tar Heels have paid in just one of their last five matchups at Dean Smith Center. Four of their last five home matchups have gone over the total.
Team vs. Team
Head to head North Carolina has won and covered their last two meetings with Gonzaga. Last time against each other in the 2017 Final Four the Tar Heels prevailed 71-69.
Matchup to Watch
It is true that this is one of the top early season matchups with Vegas lines NCAA basketball. As mentioned earlier Gonzaga is a good wagering value on the road. Of major concern is North Carolina’s weak numbers on the board at home.
Gonzaga vs. North Carolina NCAA games Betting Odds Picks
Summing up Gonzaga should bring the superior ability and value here.
Gonzaga vs. North Carolina NCAA Betting Online Pick: Gonzaga Bulldogs
Gonzaga vs. North Carolina NCAA Betting Online Score Prediction: Gonzaga 91, North Carolina 85
Catch highlights of Gonzaga’s recent win at Creighton!