Pittsburgh vs North Carolina Predictions, Picks, Tips, 1/8/2020

Game: Pittsburgh Panthers vs North Carolina Tar Heels

Date: Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Location: Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC

TV: ACCN

Odds/Point Spread: North Carolina -4.5

Total/Over-Under: 135

The Pittsburgh Panthers head to Dean Smith Center to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. The opening line for this game has North Carolina as 4.5 point favorites.

Pittsburgh heads into this matchup with a mark of 10-4. They currently have a point differential of 5.9 as they are averaging 66.3 points per contest while giving up 60.4 per game. North Carolina has an overall record of 8-6. They are averaging 70.9 points per game and surrendering 70.1, good for a point differential of 0.7.

Valuable Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 7-7-0 against the spread this season

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 5-8-1 against the over/under this year

Important North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Trends

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 4-10-0 against the spread this season

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 4-9-1 against the over/under this year

Key Pittsburgh Panthers Injuries

11/05/19 F Kene Chukwuka Hip is out indefinitely
01/04/20 G Au'Diese Toney Elbow is questionable

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
01/04/20 G Andrew Platek Ankle is questionable
01/03/20 G Anthony Harris Knee is out for season

Player Spotlight

Trey McGowens comes into this game averaging 12.1 points per contest while playing 31.8 minutes per night this year. He grabs 3.6 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.6 assists per game. His FG percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is 69%. Xavier Johnson averages 11.9 points per contest in 32.9 minutes per game. He averages 5.1 assists per game and 3.9 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 42% for the season while his free throw percentage is 74%.

Player Spotlight

Armando Bacot scores 9.0 points per contest while playing 21.0 minutes per game. He hauls in 7.9 rebounds per contest and has 0.6 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 57%. Garrison Brooks averages 13.9 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 33.5 minutes per game. He also brings in 8.7 rebounds per game and has 1.8 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage is 70%.

Useful Team Statistics

Pittsburgh averages 66.3 points per contest, which is 299th in D-1. Their average scoring margin is 5.9 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a unit, which has them ranked 272nd. From 3-point territory they shoot 29%, which is good for 324th in the nation. They average 35.9 boards per contest and 12.3 assists per game, which ranks them 184th and 257th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 265th with 12.5 per game. The Panthers allow 60.4 points per contest, which is 21st in the NCAA. They also surrender a 40% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 88th and 214th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 35.5 rebounds a game which ranks 193rd, and they allow 12.1 assists per game which puts them in 146th place in the country. They force 16.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 302nd in Division 1.

Useful Team Statistics

North Carolina is 209th in the nation with 70.9 points per contest this season. They are 320th in the country in shooting at 40%, while their average scoring margin is 0.7. They shoot 31% from beyond the arc, which is good for 291st in the NCAA. They are 1st in D-1 in rebounding with 44.1 boards per contest and 163rd in assists per game with 13.6. The Tar Heels are 239th in turnovers per contest with 12.9. The Tar Heels give up 70.1 points per game, which ranks them 207th in Division 1. Their defense surrenders a 41% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 119th and 212th in those defensive statistics. They rank 265th with 13.9 dimes allowed per game and 157th with 34.7 boards surrendered per contest. The Tar Heels are 31st in the nation in forcing turnovers with 11.9 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Panthers have an offensive rating of 101.4, which is ranked 179th. They are 335th in college basketball in pace with 65.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 46% is 315th. As a unit they are 291st in the nation in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 289th in D-1. Pittsburgh is 238th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

North Carolina is 292nd in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15 times per 100 possessions. The Tar Heels have an offensive rating of 98.9, which is ranked 234th. They are 111th in D-1 in pace with 71.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 45% is 332nd. As a unit they are 330th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 48% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shot attempts, ranking 325th in the country.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Pittsburgh +4.5

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