Friday, March 21, 6:20 PM on TNT

AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas

Opening Lines & Odds - North Carolina -4 -- Over/Under: 143

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

On paper and in oddsmakers eyes North Carolina (-4) is the early favorite over Providence, but evidence suggests this game could be closer than most people think. The Friars have won 6 of 7 including a Big East upset over Creighton while UNC has lost their last 3. The 6th seeded Tar Heels (23-9) want to return to glory after a second round knockout last season to Kansas. Prior to that Roy Williams' Tar Heels went to the Elite 8 back to back years in 2011 and 2012.

North Carolina's success will rely on whether James McAdoo can reverse a late season skid in which he's averaging barely over 8 points over the last 8 games and was shut out of the rebounding column in the regular season finale against Duke. If McAdoo is a no-show, leading scorer Marcus Paige will look to pick up the slack as he's done 3 of the last 5 games posting scoring tallies of 35, 24, and 27 points.

The 11th seeded Friars (23-11) have a respectable RPI of 42 on the 2013/14 season (UNC is 25th) and has won 7 of 9 with their only losses to tourney favorites Creighton and Villanova. Providence is led by the inside out combo of Bryce Cotton and LaDontae Henton. The 6'9” Henton has grabbed 11+ rebounds in 4 of the last 5 games while Cotton has scored 22 or more points in 8 of 10.

ATS Trends

North Carolina is 16-16-0 ATS this season

North Carolina is 16-15-0 against the over/under this season

Providence is 18-15-0 ATS this season

Providence is 17-12-1 against the over/under this season

Injuries to Watch

North Carolina 

12/20/13 G P.J. Hairston Suspension out for season

Providence 

12/26/13 G Brandon Austin Suspension out for season
12/26/13 F Rodney Bullock Suspension out for season
12/04/13 G Kris Dunn Shoulder out for season

Tony's Pick: Take North Carolina

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