North Carolina vs Hawaii Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/23/24

The North Carolina Tar Heels are visiting the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors on Friday, November 22nd at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a North Carolina Tar Heels vs Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Prediction.

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Preview

The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors have a perfect 4-0 record this season and are coming off a 73-68 win over Weber State. The Rainbow Warriors are 2-1 against the spread, and 2-1 in over/under, while having a 4-0 home record.

Offensively, Hawaii is averaging 81.3 points per game, which ranks 124th nationally. Defensively, they allow 66 points per game (93rd). The Rainbow Warriors shoot 51.4% from the field (27th) and 27.8% from beyond the arc (323rd). The Rainbow Warriors shoot 69.4% from the free-throw line (209th) and are grabbing 36.5 rebounds per game (227th).

Tenner Christensen leads Hawaii in scoring this season, with an average of 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, while Tom Beattie adds 12.3 points and 3.5 rebounds.

North Carolina Tar Heels Preview

The North Carolina Tar Heels have a 2-1 record this season and are coming off a 107-55 win over American. The Tar Heels are 2-1 against the spread, and 3-0 in over/under while having a 0-1 road record.

Offensively, North Carolina is averaging 95.3 points per game, which is the 7th-best in the nation. Defensively, they allow 74.3 points per game (243rd). The Tar Heels shoot 46.6% from the field (145th) and  35.1% from beyond the arc (138th). The Tar Heels shoot 85.2% from the free-throw line, which is the second-best nationally, and are grabbing 43 rebounds per game (37th).

RJ Davis leads North Carolina in scoring with an average of 17.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, while Elliot Cadeau adds 15.7 points and a team-high 7.7 assists.

Why the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors will win

• Hawaii has won each of its last 10 games at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
• Hawaii has won the first half in five of its last six night games at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.

Why the North Carolina Tar Heels will win

• Hawaii has lost each of its last six games against AP-ranked opponents at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
• North Carolina has won 11 of its last 12 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• North Carolina has won the first half in seven of its last eight games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Seventeen of Hawaii’s last 18 night games against non-conference opponents have produced a total of 146 or fewer points.
• Each of North Carolina’s last seven games against non-conference opponents has produced a total of 152+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Hawaii ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for opponent assists per game this season (6.3).
• Hawaii ranks T360th among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (3.5).
• North Carolina ranks T1st among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (3.3).
• North Carolina ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (85.2%).

North Carolina Tar Heels vs Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Prediction

In their only previous meeting back in 2016, North Carolina won on the road, 83-68. In this North Carolina Tar Heels vs Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Prediction, North Carolina is coming as -16 road favorites, and rightfully so. North Carolina should be the favorites, as they are coming in with the 7th-best offense, but they have been below average defensively. Hawaii boasts a superior defense, allowing 8.3 points less than the Tar Heels, and also has a top-30 field goal percentage. With both teams scoring 176.6 points per game combined and with North Carolina struggling on defense, I’m expecting a lot of points in this game. Take the over.