North Carolina vs. Baylor Prediction and Odds for Second Round of NCAA Tournament
By Reed Wallach
North Carolina scored the biggest win in the No. 8 seed vs. No. 9 seed matchup in NCAA Tournament history, beating Marquette 95-63.
Now Hubert Davis' Tar Heels face No. 1 seed in the East Region Baylor, who took care of Norfolk State in the first round. Who has the edge in this one with a berth in the Sweet 16 on the line?
Here are the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook as well as a statistical breakdown of each team before giving out a best bet:
North Carolina vs. Baylor Odds, Spread and Total
Spread:
- North Carolina: +5.5 (-110)
- Baylor: -5.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
- North Carolina: +200
- Baylor: -250
Total: 149 (Over -110/Under -110)
North Carolina vs. Baylor Analysis
North Carolina
- Regular Season Record: 24-9
- ATS Record:16-16-1
- Over/Under Record: 19-14
- SoS: 37th
- Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 113.0
- Defensive Efficiency: 97.0
- eFG%: 52.1%
- FT%: 77.2%
- 3PT%: 36.2%
- Last Year’s Tournament Result: First Round
- Odds to win National Championship: +10000
Baylor
- Overall Record: 26-6
- ATS Record: 16-15-1
- Over/Under Record: 17-14-1
- SoS: 2nd
- Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 117.9
- Defensive Efficiency: 91.6
- eFG%: 52.9%
- FT%: 69.8%
- 3PT%: 34.6%
- Last Year’s Tournament Result: National Champions
- Odds to win National Championship: +1000
North Carolina vs. Baylor Prediction and Pick
North Carolina looked the part on Thursday, but the team struggled playing elite competition all season long, which is why I find myself leaning towards Baylor early.
North Carolina has an edge on the glass with Armando Bacot as Baylor is short handed in the front court, but the Heels don't force enough turnovers to slow down the Bears offense. UNC is bottom 10 in the country in turnover rate and Baylor's offense has the shot making to make the Heels pay with the likes of Adam Flagler and Matthew Mayer.
Davis' Heels look good on Thursday in a blowout win, but this is a big step up in class for them and I think we see Baylor impose its will on their ACC opponent.
LEAN: Baylor -5.5
All of Reed's college basketball plays can be tracked here, his best bets column for college basketball is 104-107-3 for -6.9 units.
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