North Carolina March Madness Schedule: (When Do the Tar Heels Play Next?)
By Matt De Saro
The No. 8 seeded North Carolina Tar Heels have a tough game up next in the NCAA Tournament against the No. 4 seeded UCLA Bruins. These two Eastern Region members face off in Sweet 16 action in Philadelphia on Friday, March 25. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:39 p.m. EST.
Here is North Carolina’s upcoming Tournament schedule and odds for its Sweet 16 game via WynnBET:
North Carolina March Madness Schedule
If the North Carolina Tar Heels live up to the hype and upset UCLA, they will move on to the Elite Eight and final round of region play. North Carolina’s Elite Eight will be between the winner of No. 15 Saint Peter's vs. No. 3 Purdue from Philadelphia on Sunday.
UCLA Bruins vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Odds, Spread, and Total
Spread:
- UCLA Bruins -2.5 (-110)
- North Carolina Tar Heels +2.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
- UCLA Bruins: -145
- North Carolina Tar Heels: +120
Total:
- 142.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
UCLA Bruins vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Prediction and Pick
I was worried about UNC's ability to stick around in the NCAA Tournament this year due to their iffy defense. But, somehow, the Tar Heels began to show some life on the defensive end of the court once tournament play began.
During the regular season, the Tar Heels' defense was actually quite horrible and ranked 235th in scoring at 71.9 points per game. Their perimeter defense was well below average and they allowed more field goal attempts than almost the entire nation. While they did allow Baylor to score 86 points in the last round, Baylor was a No. 1 seed and a favorite to win it all. Plus, the game went into overtime.
UNC held Marquette to just 63 in the opening round, and in their final game of the regular season, UNC held Virginia Tech to 72. The Tar Heels' average shooting percentage on defense this year was 42.8 percent but that number has dropped significantly to 37.4 in their last three games.
I think that, while UCLA’s offense is ranked 44th in scoring, they don’t match up too well against UNC. Most of the Bruins’ scoring is in the paint and that is where UNC plays the best of their mediocre defense.
Lean: UNC +2.5 (-110)
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