Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Dean Smith Center

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Pittsburgh Panthers head to Dean Smith Center to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels on Tuesday, January 31, 2017. The opening line for this game has North Carolina as 18 point favorites.

The Panthers come into this game with an overall record of 12-9 and a road record of 1-3. They are 6-12 against the spread and their over/under record is 10-10. The Tar Heels have an overall record of 19-4 and a home record of 11-0. They have an over/under record of 9-13 and they are 11-10 against the spread.

Jamel Artis comes into this contest averaging 21.1 points per game while playing 34.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Panthers. He pulls down 5.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage is currently at 72%. Michael Young averages 20.3 points per game in 32.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.9 assists per contest and 7.1 rebounds per game for Pittsburgh. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%.

Our handicappers are experts on college basketball betting. Check out our NCAA basketball betting tips.

Justin Jackson averages 18.7 points per game while playing 30.7 minutes per contest this year for the Tar Heels. He grabs 4.8 rebounds per game and has 2.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage currently is at 79%. Joel Berry averages 14.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.2 rebounds per contest and 4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 90%.

Pittsburgh averages 76.8 points per contest this season which ranks them 74th in the nation. Their average scoring margin is -0.5 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them ranked 139th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 85th in the country. They average 36.6 rebounds per game and 15 assists per game which ranks them 129th and 79th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 67th with 12 per game. The Panthers allow 77.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 274th in the nation. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 233rd and 184th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.8 rebounds a game which ranks 180th and they give up 15.1 assists per contest which puts them in 290th place in the country. They force 10.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 340th in Division 1.

North Carolina averages 87.6 points per game this year which ranks them 5th in Division 1 college basketball. Their average scoring margin is 16 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team which has them sitting in the 59th spot in the country. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 60th in the nation. They average 45 rebounds per game and 18.4 assists per contest which ranks them 1st and 3rd respectively. In the turnover department the Tar Heels rank 135th with 12.9 per game. The Tar Heels allow 71.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 145th in the country. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc ranking them 55th and 111th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 32.1 rebounds a game which ranks 32nd and they give up 11.8 assists per contest which puts them in 65th place in the nation. The Tar Heels force 15 turnovers per game which ranks them 56th in college basketball.

The Panthers average 71.8 points per game on the road this season and they have scored 61.7 ppg in their past 3 contests. They have an average scoring differential of -1.8 on the road and in their past 3 games their difference is -22.3 per contest. The Panthers have an offensive rating of 108.2 and they assist on 58.6% of their shots. In terms of pace they average 69.3 possessions per 40 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 52%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they shoot 3 pointers on 39% of their shots. Pittsburgh turns the ball over an average of 15.1 times per 100 possessions and they get a steal on 5.1% of their opponents possessions. Their total rebound percentage is 50.6% while their offensive rebound percentage is 28.4%. The Panthers give up 73.5 points per game on the road this season and they have surrendered 84 points per contest in their last 3 games.

The Tar Heels score 91.5 ppg at home and they have averaged 81 points per contest in their last 3 games.They have an average scoring differential of 4 in their past 3 contests and at home this season they have a difference of 26.6 points per game. The Tar Heels have a rating on offense of 117.1 and 58% of their shots are assisted. They possess the ball 75 times per 40 minutes and their effective field goal percentage for the year is 53%. As an offensive unit they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they attempt 3 pointers on 30% of their shots. North Carolina turns it over an average of 14.2 times per 100 possessions and they steal the ball on 10.2% of their opponents possessions. Their total rebound percentage is 58.8% while their offensive rebound percentage for the season is 42.6%. The Tar Heels give up 64.9 points per contest at home this year and they have given up 77 points per game in their past 3 contests.

Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 6-12 against the spread

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 10-10 against the over/under

North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Trends

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 11-10 against the spread

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 9-13 against the over/under

Pittsburgh Panthers Injuries

11/09/16 G Crisshawn Clark Knee out for season
01/16/17 F Ryan Luther Foot expected to miss 3-4 weeks

North Carolina Tar Heels Injuries

01/30/17 F Theo Pinson Ankle is downgraded to expected to miss Tuesday vs. Pittsburgh

Josh's Pick: Take North Carolina -18

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald