Saturday, December 17, 2016

Rupp Arena

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The North Carolina Tar Heels travel to Rupp Arena to play the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday, December 17, 2016.

The Tar Heels come into this game with an overall record of 10-1 and a road record of 1-1. They are 5-5 against the spread and their over/under record is 2-8. The Wildcats have an overall record of 9-1 and a home record of 6-1. They have an over/under record of 7-3 and they are 8-2 against the spread.

Justin Jackson comes into this contest averaging 15.5 points per game while playing 29.7 minutes per night so far this season for the Tar Heels. He pulls down 4.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is currently at 86%. Joel Berry averages 14.8 points per game in 26.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.7 assists per contest and 3.8 rebounds per game for North Carolina. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 91%.

Malik Monk averages 19.4 points per game while playing 28 minutes per contest this year for the Wildcats. He grabs 2.6 rebounds per game and has 2.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage currently is at 87%. Isaiah Briscoe averages 16.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 3 rebounds per contest and 3.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage is 67%.

North Carolina averages 86.4 points per contest this season which ranks them 12th in the nation. Their average scoring margin is 19.5 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team which has them ranked 52nd. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 101st in the country. They average 44.9 rebounds per game and 18.3 assists per game which ranks them 5th and 14th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 162nd with 13.5 per game. The Tar Heels allow 66.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 71st in the nation. They also allow a 39% shooting percentage and a 30% average from behind the arc ranking them 41st and 38th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 31.5 rebounds a game which ranks 22nd and they give up 10.7 assists per contest which puts them in 32nd place in the country. They force 15.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 39th in Division 1.

Kentucky averages 94.4 points per game this year which ranks them 2nd in Division 1 college basketball. Their average scoring margin is 25.6 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team which has them sitting in the 26th spot in the country. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 244th in the nation. They average 43.7 rebounds per game and 20 assists per contest which ranks them 8th and 4th respectively. In the turnover department the Wildcats rank 41st with 11.5 per game. The Wildcats allow 68.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 107th in the country. They also allow a 38% shooting percentage and a 27% average from behind the arc ranking them 34th and 6th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 37.1 rebounds a game which ranks 223rd and they give up 11 assists per contest which puts them in 49th place in the nation. The Wildcats force 18.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 6th in college basketball.

The Tar Heels average 84.6 points per game on the road this season and they have scored 83.7 ppg in their past 3 contests. They have an average scoring differential of 14.6 on the road and in their past 3 games their difference is 18.7 per contest. The Tar Heels have an offensive rating of 117.9 and they assist on 58.4% of their shots. In terms of pace they average 74.7 possessions per 40 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 54%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 57% and they shoot 3 pointers on 28% of their shots. North Carolina turns the ball over an average of 15 times per 100 possessions and they get a steal on 10.6% of their opponents possessions. Their total rebound percentage is 59.7% while their offensive rebound percentage is 43.8%. The Tar Heels give up 70 points per game on the road this season and they have surrendered 65 points per contest in their last 3 games.

The Wildcats score 94.9 ppg at home and they have averaged 91.7 points per contest in their last 3 games.They have an average scoring differential of 14 in their past 3 contests and at home this season they have a difference of 23.7 points per game. The Wildcats have a rating on offense of 119.8 and 57.8% of their shots are assisted. They possess the ball 78.8 times per 40 minutes and their effective field goal percentage for the year is 54%. As an offensive unit they have a true shooting percentage of 57% and they attempt 3 pointers on 32% of their shots. Kentucky turns it over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions and they steal the ball on 9.4% of their opponents possessions. Their total rebound percentage is 54.1% while their offensive rebound percentage for the season is 39.5%. The Wildcats give up 71.1 points per contest at home this year and they have given up 77.7 points per game in their past 3 contests.

North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Trends

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 5-5 against the spread

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 2-8 against the over/under

Kentucky Wildcats Betting Trends

The Kentucky Wildcats are 8-2 against the spread

The Kentucky Wildcats are 7-3 against the over/under

North Carolina Tar Heels Injuries

12/11/16 G Joel Berry II Ankle is downgraded to doubtful Sunday vs. Tennessee
11/05/16 F Theo Pinson Foot out indefinitely

Kentucky Wildcats Injuries

No key injuries to report

Guy's Pick: Take Kentucky

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