Pittsburgh at North Carolina College Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/5/2019

Saturday, January 5, 2019

Dean Smith Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Pittsburgh Panthers travel to Dean Smith Center to play the North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday, January 5, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has North Carolina as 10 point favorites.

Pittsburgh comes into this game with an overall record of 10-3. They currently have a point differential of 15.2 as they are averaging 77.4 points per game while giving up 62.2 per contest. North Carolina has an overall mark of 10-3. They are averaging 90.3 points per contest and giving up 73.1, which is a point differential of 17.2.

Valuable Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 10-3-0 against the spread

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 5-8-0 against the over/under

Important North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Trends

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 7-4-2 against the spread

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 8-5-0 against the over/under

Key Pittsburgh Panthers Injuries

12/14/18 C Peace Ilegomah Transferred is out for season

Key North Carolina Tar Heels Injuries

01/04/19 F Sterling Manley Knee is questionable Saturday vs Pittsburgh

Player Spotlight

Jared Wilson-Frame averages 12.2 points per game in 28.5 minutes per contest. He averages 1.8 assists per contest and 5.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%. Xavier Johnson comes into this contest averaging 16.3 points per game while playing 29.0 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.0 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 52% while his free throw percentage is at 84%.

Player Spotlight

Luke Maye averages 14.2 points per game and he sees the court an average of 28.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 9.8 rebounds per contest and 1.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 78%. Cameron Johnson averages 16.4 points per game while playing 27.3 minutes per contest. He grabs 5.2 rebounds per game and has 1.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is at 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Panthers allow 62.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in Division 1. They also allow a 37% shooting percentage and a 28% average from behind the arc, ranking them 7th and 12th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.6 rebounds a game which ranks 209th, and they give up 12.2 assists per contest which puts them in 111th place in the NCAA. They force 17.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 335th in the nation. Pittsburgh averages 77.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 105th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 15.2 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 118th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 167th in D-1. They average 38.5 rebounds per game and 13.8 assists per contest, which ranks them 76th and 179th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 119th with 14.2 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Tar Heels surrender 73.1 points per contest, which ranks them 218th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 41% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 81st and 127th in those defensive statistics. They rank 238th with 14.0 assists allowed per contest, and 92nd with 33.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Tar Heels are 293rd in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 16.0 per game. North Carolina is 5th in the country with 90.3 points per game this year. They are 45th in the D-1 in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 17.2. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 93rd in the nation. They are 3rd in the country in rebounding with 44.7 boards per game and 5th in assists per contest with 19.4. The Tar Heels are 128th in turnovers per game with 14.1.

Advanced Statistics

The Panthers are 117th in the nation in offensive rating with 107.6. In terms of pace they are 122nd in the country with 71.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 147th. As a team they are 101st in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 254th in Division 1. Pittsburgh is 117th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.2 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

North Carolina is 259th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.2 times per 100 possessions. The Tar Heels are 33rd in the country in offensive rating with 114.3. In terms of pace they are 6th in Division 1 with 79 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 82nd. As a team they are 61st in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 298th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Pittsburgh/North Carolina college basketball game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take North Carolina -10

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