No.3 Duke (19-1) will travel the seven miles over to Chapel Hill to play No.4 ranked North Carolina (21-1) in what is perhaps the most anticipated and intense college basketball rivalry in the nation. The status of Tar Heel's guard Ty Lawson will be crucial in this first contest between the neighboring ACC power house programs. Lawson is recovering from a sprained left ankle and is listed as doubtful. Even with Lawson’s status in doubt, the Tar Heels are 4-point favorites on home court according to oddsmakers at BetOnline.com with a money line price of -175. A Blue Devils SU win will pay +155 on a ML bet. The total is holding at 163.
North Carolina's field-goal percentage defense (42.2 percent allowed) is sixth-best in the conference, two spots ahead of Duke (42.5 percent allowed). It's not a huge difference, but considering all the knocks that Carolina's defense has taken recently, it does seem significant. Carolina is allowing just 31.8 percent shooting from the three-point line, fourth-best in the conference. Duke is a team that averages 8.95 three-pointers made per game (second in the league) and shoots 38.7 percent from beyond the arc (second in the league). Duke also leads the league in field-goal percentage.
The Tar Heels lead the all-time series with the Blue Devils with a 58-30 record in Chapel Hill. The Heels have won the last three games in the series and four of the last five.
North Carolina beat Duke in the Smith Center 86-72 in the final regular-season games for both teams on March 4, 2007. Carolina led 38-29 at halftime after shooting 54.8% from the field and holding Duke to 45.2% shooting. Carolina maintained its comfortable lead for most of the second half until Duke went on a run to close within 50-48 with 12:50 to go. Carolina went on an 18-4 run to seal the game and bring the score to 68-52 with 5:14 left. Carolina shot 50 percent for the game and had 18 assists to 11 turnovers, compared to 11 assists and 15 turnovers for Duke.
Checkout our live NCAA Hoops Point Spreads showcasing real time odds of the world's top online sportsbooks all in one easy to use location. Get line movements in real time and find out who has the best NCAA BETTING ODDS.
