Duke (29-3) vs North Carolina (22-12)
Game Info: Friday, March 14, 2025 at 7:00 pm (Spectrum Center)
Betting Odds: Duke -7.5 -- Over/Under: 155.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN
The North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils meet on Friday in college basketball action at Spectrum Center. Here’s a North Carolina vs Duke prediction. This article will include a North Carolina vs Duke Pick.
North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Preview
The North Carolina Tar Heels (22-12, 14-19-1 ATS) are enjoying their best basketball of the season. The Tar Heels were on a six-game winning streak, their longest of the campaign, but failed to conclude the regular season with their seventh in a row as Duke prevented them with an 82-69 victory. North Carolina entered the ACC tournament as the No. 5 seed and beat Notre Dame and Wake Forest in the previous two rounds, covering both in the process.
North Carolina is averaging 81.5 PPG (28th) and is allowing 75.5 PPG (284th). The Tar Heels are getting 36.6 RPG (130th) and dish out 14.8 APG (113th). RJ Davis is the team’s top performer with 17.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.8 APG, and 1.1 SPG. Ian Jackson has 13.0 PPG and 2.8 RPG, while Seth Trimble contributes 11.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and a team-high 2.1 SPG.
| Top College Basketball Sportsbooks | Best March Madness Betting Promos | Sign-Up Link |
|---|---|---|
| bet365 | Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets, Win or Lose OR$1,000 First Bet Safety Net | Click Here |
| BetMGM | Up to $1,600 in Deposit Match Bonus OR$1,500 First Bet Offer | DAWGZ1600 / DAWGZ |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Bet $1, Get $150 in Bonus Bets if You Win OR10 100% Profit Boost Tokens | DAWGBG1 / DAWGDYW |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Bet $30, Get $300 in Bonus Bets OR$1,000 in No Sweat Bets | Click Here |
Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview
The Duke Blue Devils (29-3, 21-11 ATS) are one of the best teams in basketball this season. Although their great streak of 16 victories snapped with a loss to Clemson, the Blue Devils won the next eight games and clinched a top seed for the ACC tournament. Duke skipped the opening two rounds and met Georgia Tech in the quarterfinals. The Yellow Jackets had a lead in the first half and were 14 points up at one moment, but the Blue Devils bounced back and got a 78-70 win. However, they lost Cooper Flagg to an ankle injury and it's doubtful he'll return to the action before the Big Dance.
Duke averages 83.5 PPG (13th) and allows 61.4 PPG (6th). The Blue Devils are 35th in rebounds (38.9) and 19th in assists (17.2). Cooper Flagg leads the team with 19.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 1.3 BPG. Kon Knueppel follows him with 13.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 2.5 APG, while Tyrese Proctor chips in 12.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, and 2.2 APG.
Why North Carolina will cover
- North Carolina has won eight of its last nine games against the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Matchup/League Facts
- Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for defensive rating this season (92.9).
- Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for net rating this season (+33.5).
- North Carolina ranks 34th among Division 1 teams for field goal percentage this season (48.0%).
- North Carolina ranks 44th among Division 1 teams for pace this season (70.4).
North Carolina vs Duke Prediction
These rivals have traded wins in recent years; each recorded five in the last ten encounters. Duke was better in both H2Hs this season and covered both, but I am not sure about this one on Friday. Without Flagg, Duke will be limited on both ends of the floor, and I believe it's a great chance for the Tar Heels to make an upset and reach the conference finals. I will not back them to win, but I am backing them to cover. North Carolina covered seven of the last eight games. The only time they failed to do so was against Duke. It's going to be closer than many think. Go with North Carolina to cover.
Oliver’s Pick North Carolina +7.5
AUTHOR: Oliver Zivic
