Virginia vs North Carolina Prediction 2/22/25 College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Virginia vs North Carolina Prediction for this college basketball game on Saturday,  February 22nd, at the Dean Smith Center. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:

-The Cavaliers’ recent form and recent player performance 

-The Tar Heels’ recent form and recent player performance

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Virginia

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving North Carolina

-Recent betting trends in games played between Virginia and North Carolina

-A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between the Cavaliers and Tar Heels. 

Can North Carolina Continue Momentum?

North Carolina is playing really well heading into this game, and they have won two games in a row. North Carolina faced off against Syracuse two games ago and secured the 88-82 victory. In the last game against NC State, they scored 97 points on the way to a blowout victory. In the first half, they scored 54 points on the way to the blowout victory. RJ Davis is having a huge year, and the hot shooting continued in the last game, putting up 21 points, five assists, and two rebounds. There were four different players that ended up putting up at least 12 points for UNC. 

UNC sits with a 16-11 record overall and they have gone 10-2 at home. UNC, on the season, is averaging 80.9 points, while their defense is giving up 76.7 points per game. They want to push the pace, but the big problem when they have struggled has been the defense. One crazy stat for UNC: 53.39 percent of their points come from two-point field goals. For a team that is averaging 80.9 points, the scoring is even more impressive. Davis is elite, and he’s averaging 17.5 points while shooting 40.2 percent from the field. 

Why Notre Dame Will Beat Virginia 

• North Carolina has won 22 of its last 23 day games at Dean E. Smith Center.
• Virginia has lost four of its last five day games against the Atlantic Coast Conference.
• Virginia has lost the first half in eight of its last nine day games against Conference opponents.

Virginia Has Been a Disappointment 

Virginia has been nothing but a disappointment this season, and it will be interesting to see what the next few years look like for this team. Two games ago against Virginia Tech, they won by two points, but in the last game against Duke, they went back to the losing ways. Virginia scored 62 points, but the defense gave up 80 points. Dai Dai Ames had a strong game, putting up 15 points, three assists, and one rebound. 

Virginia currently sits at .500 with a 13-13 record, and away from home, they have gone only 3-5. Virginia still likes to play the slow pace, but the defense hasn’t been as lights out as in years past. The Cavaliers are averaging 64.5 points per game. The offense will need to be solid, but more importantly, the defense is going to need to be lights out. They don’t have the offensive talent to win a shootout. Isaac McKneely has been the top player, averaging 13.7 points while shooting 43.5 percent from the field. 

Why Virginia Will Beat North Carolina

• Virginia has won four of its last five games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• North Carolina has lost each of its last three games following a home win.

Virginia vs North Carolina Prediction

This total is a little too high. Yes, Virginia’s defense hasn’t been as good this year, but they know they must keep the pace slow to have a chance in this game. Virginia is giving up only 65.5 points per game, and although the defense might not be lights out, the pace will be enough to be lower-scoring. Much like has been the case all season, Virginia’s offense is going to have some major issues. There isn’t a strong play on the side, but just the pace alone will keep this game under the total.