North Carolina vs Duke Predictions, College Basketball Picks Tonight 3/7/2020

Game: North Carolina Tar Heels vs Duke Blue Devils

Date: Saturday, March 7, 2020

Location: Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Duke -12

Total/Over-Under: 152

The North Carolina Tar Heels travel to Cameron Indoor Stadium to play the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday, March 7, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Duke as 12 point favorites.

North Carolina comes into this game with an overall record of 13-17. They currently have a point differential of 0.1 as they are averaging 72.5 points per game while giving up 72.6 per contest. Duke has an overall record of 24-6. They are averaging 82.3 points per game and surrendering 67.7, good for a point differential of 14.6.

Valuable North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Trends

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 13-17-0 against the spread

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 14-14-2 against the over/under

Important Duke Blue Devils Betting Trends

The Duke Blue Devils are 15-15-0 against the spread

The Duke Blue Devils are 21-9-0 against the over/under

Key North Carolina Tar Heels Injuries

12/16/19 F Sterling Manley Knee is out for season
03/06/20 F Armando Bacot Ankle is questionable Saturday vs Duke
01/03/20 G Anthony Harris Knee is out for season

Key Duke Blue Devils Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Cole Anthony comes into this contest averaging 20.2 points per game while playing 34.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 58% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 76%. Garrison Brooks averages 16.4 points per game in 34.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.1 assists per contest and 8.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 54% for the year while his free throw percentage is 62%.

Player Spotlight

Vernon Carey Jr. averages 17.6 points per game while playing 24.8 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 8.7 rebounds per game and has 1.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 58% and his free throw percentage is at 66%. Tre Jones averages 16.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.3 rebounds per contest and 6.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 75%.

Useful Team Statistics

North Carolina averages 72.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 130th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 0.0 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team, which has them ranked 253rd. Behind the arc they shoot 30% which is good for 312th in the nation. They average 41.9 rebounds per game and 14.7 assists per game, which ranks them 2nd and 48th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 177th with 13.0 per game. The Tar Heels allow 72.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 265th in the country. They also allow a 42% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 139th and 206th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.2 rebounds a game which ranks 136th and they give up 13.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 254th place in Division 1. They force 11.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 55th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Duke is 3rd in the country with 82.3 points per game this year. They are 26th in Division 1 in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 14.6. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 99th in the nation. They are 13th in the NCAA in rebounding with 40.2 boards per game, and 26th in assists per contest with 15.3. The Blue Devils are 162nd in turnovers per game with 13.2. The Blue Devils surrender 67.7 points per contest, which ranks them 131st in D-1. Their defense allows a 42% shooting percentage and a 30% average from 3-point range, ranking them 104th and 30th in those defensive statistics. They rank 125th with 12.0 assists allowed per contest and 140th with 34.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Blue Devils are 301st in country in forcing turnovers with 15.2 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Tar Heels are 187th in the nation in offensive rating with 101.1. In terms of pace they are 101st in the country with 70.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 47% is 314th. As a team they are 313th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 50% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 324th in Division 1. North Carolina is 259th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.3 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Duke is 269th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.2 times per 100 possessions. The Blue Devils have an offensive rating of 111, which is ranked 17th. They are 37th in D-1 in pace with 72.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 62nd. As a unit they are 65th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 299th in the country.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Duke -12

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