North Carolina vs Pittsburgh Predictions, Picks, Tips, 1/18/2020

Game: North Carolina Tar Heels vs Pittsburgh Panthers

Date: Saturday, January 18, 2020

Location: Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: ESPN, ESPN2

Odds/Point Spread: Pittsburgh -2.5

Total/Over-Under: 134

The North Carolina Tar Heels travel to Petersen Events Center to play the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday, January 18, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Pittsburgh as 2.5 point favorites.

North Carolina comes into this game with an overall record of 8-8. They currently have a point differential of -0.1 as they are averaging 70.8 points per game while giving up 70.9 per contest. Pittsburgh has an overall mark of 11-6. They are averaging 66.3 points per contest and giving up 61.7, which is a point differential of 4.6.

Valuable North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Trends

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 4-12-0 against the spread

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 6-9-1 against the over/under

Important Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 9-8-0 against the spread

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 7-9-1 against the over/under

Key North Carolina Tar Heels Injuries

12/16/19 F Sterling Manley Knee is out for season
12/15/19 G Cole Anthony Knee is out indefinitely
01/15/20 G Brandon Robinson Undisclosed is questionable
01/11/20 G Jeremiah Francis Knee is questionable
01/03/20 G Anthony Harris Knee is out for season

Key Pittsburgh Panthers Injuries

11/05/19 F Kene Chukwuka Hip is out indefinitely
01/09/20 G Ithiel Horton Undisclosed is out for season

Player Spotlight

Garrison Brooks averages 14.3 points per game in 33.9 minutes per contest. He averages 1.7 assists per contest and 8.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 53% for the year while his free throw percentage is 67%. Armando Bacot comes into this contest averaging 10.1 points per game while playing 22.6 minutes per night. He pulls down 7.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 0.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage is at 60%.

Player Spotlight

Xavier Johnson averages 11.7 points per game and he sees the court an average of 32.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.6 rebounds per contest and 4.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 73%. Trey McGowens averages 13.8 points per game while playing 33.1 minutes per contest. He grabs 3.7 rebounds per game and has 3.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is at 71%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Tar Heels allow 70.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 220th in Division 1. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 133rd and 250th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.5 rebounds a game which ranks 145th, and they give up 13.9 assists per contest which puts them in 271st place in the NCAA. They force 11.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 36th in the nation. North Carolina averages 70.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 200th in the country. Their average scoring margin is -0.1 and their shooting percentage is 41% as a team, which has them ranked 318th. Behind the arc they shoot 30% which is good for 314th in D-1. They average 43.6 rebounds per game and 14.1 assists per contest, which ranks them 1st and 124th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 227th with 13.0 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Panthers surrender 61.7 points per contest, which ranks them 37th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 41% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 100th and 208th in those defensive statistics. They rank 189th with 12.6 assists allowed per contest, and 218th with 35.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Panthers are 302nd in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 16.2 per game. Pittsburgh is 300th in the country with 66.3 points per game this year. They are 292nd in the D-1 in shooting at 41%, while their average scoring margin is 4.6. They shoot 30% from 3-point range, which is good for 305th in the nation. They are 199th in the country in rebounding with 35.4 boards per game and 262nd in assists per contest with 12.2. The Panthers are 258th in turnovers per game with 12.6.

Advanced Statistics

The Tar Heels are 243rd in the nation in offensive rating with 98.5. In terms of pace they are 113th in the country with 71.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 45% is 330th. As a team they are 331st in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 49% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 315th in Division 1. North Carolina is 283rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.1 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Pittsburgh is 223rd in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.2 times per 100 possessions. The Panthers are 195th in the country in offensive rating with 100.4. In terms of pace they are 331st in Division 1 with 65.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 46% is 317th. As a team they are 293rd in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 288th in the nation.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Pittsburgh -2.5

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