Fansided

Maryland vs North Carolina preview, predictions, betting odds, live stream info

By Cody Williams

Nov 18, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Kennedy Meeks (3) gets encouragement from forward Brice Johnson (11) before shooting a free throw during the second half against the Wofford Terriers at Dean E. Smith Center. North Carolina won 78-58. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Kennedy Meeks (3) gets encouragement from forward Brice Johnson (11) before shooting a free throw during the second half against the Wofford Terriers at Dean E. Smith Center. North Carolina won 78-58. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Maryland Terrapins vs. North Carolina Tar Heels

The North Carolina Tar Heels will face the Maryland Terrapins inside the Dean E. Smith Center on Tuesday night as the marquee matchup in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Tar Heels come into the matchup as the No. 9 team in the country while the Terrapins boast a No. 2 ranking in the polls, meaning this first nonconference meeting between these two teams in the last 55 years should be a classic.

The Tar Heels will get a huge boost on Tuesday night as their leading scorer from the past two seasons in Marcus Paige will make his season-debut after missing the first month of the season due to a fracture in his non-shooting hand. He’ll join a lethal frontcourt of Justin Jackson, Kennedy Meeks, and Brice Johnson in taking on Maryland. The Terps have a boatload of talent in their own right, led by star guard Melo Trimble and complimented by transfers Rasheed Sulaimon and Robert Carter.

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Details for Tuesday’s game are below:

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 1
Start Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Arena: Dean E. Smith Center
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Here

Keys to Victory

Maryland, despite their 6-0 clip to start the year, hasn’t been the force that many people expected them to be just yet. Against the Tar Heels, though, that will have to change if they wish to remain undefeated and Melo Trimble is at the heart of that. Trimble’s scoring numbers have dipped from last season, particularly in terms of his outside shooting. A 41.2 percent three-point shooter last season, Trimble is shooting a paltry 23.8 percent so far this season. As North Carolina has been proven to be vulnerable to the deep ball before, Trimble and the Terps finding their rhythm from long-range will be incredibly important on Tuesday.

As for North Carolina, there’s no question that the return of Paige is the X-factor for them in this matchup. While the Tar Heels frontcourt has carried them to start the year, Paige is the heart of this team as he’s led the offense in points and assists the past two seasons. Moreover, he single-handedly addresses the Tar Heels greatest weakness in terms of shooting from beyond the arc as he’s shot 38.1 percent for his career in contrast to the 32.1 percent three-point shooting by UNC so far this season. How he performs in his return to action could very well swing this game.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: North Carolina -7
Moneyline: North Carolina -110, Maryland -110
O/U: 150.5

Prediction

While neither team has been particularly impressive as of late, you have to imagine that they will both rise to the occasion in Chapel Hill on Tuesday night. However, I think the return of Paige should galvanize the Tar Heels in terms of spirit and performance, ultimately leading them to victory.

Final Score: Maryland Terrapins: 78, North Carolina Tar Heels: 86