Michigan State vs North Carolina Betting Odds - Revenge, defense powers Spartans to win at North Carolina
Michigan State couldn’t overcome the online betting odds to upset North Carolina in last year’s title game, but to be fair, the Tar Heels had four players in their lineup that went on to be NBA picks. The rematch comes Tuesday night at Chapel Hill to kick off a competitive December, and the Spartans, fueled by a typically tough defense, will spark them to a revenge win.
| WHAT: NCAA basketball betting |
| WHEN: Tuesday, December 1, 9:00 PM ET |
| WHERE: Dean Smith Center, Chapel Hill, NC |
| KEY STAT: UNC is 2-6 in their last eight against Michigan State |
| PICK: Michigan State |
Michigan State vs North Carolina betting odds maker breakdown: THE STORYLINE
The No.9 Spartans (5-1) lost to Florida in the Legends Classic, although they did rebound to spank UMass in the consolation game, giving Tom Izzo the new record for wins by a Michigan State coach with 341. The No.11 Tar Heels (6-1) are far from the juggernaut that won last year’s national title, but they managed to give coach Roy Williams his 600th win in a victory over Nevada on Sunday. The Spartans are still smarting from their 89-72 loss to the Tar Heels in the title game, and they’ve now lost four in a row to North Carolina.
Betting Edge: Michigan State
Michigan State vs North Carolina betting odds maker breakdown: OFFENSE
The Spartans aren’t generally known as being an offensive team, but four players are averaging double figures in the early part of the season, and guard Kalin Lucas is out to prove that last year’s Big Ten Player of the Year award was no fluke. Durrell Summers and Chris Allen completes this trio of junior guards. Just wait until senior forward Raymar Morgan gets going for the Spartans.
The Tar Heels are also a balanced team with four players in double figures, led by senior forward Deon Thompson. Sophomore Ed Davis has all the tools to be a beast in the post, and he’s shooting 68% from the field so far. The key will be Larry Drew II, who has the unenviable task of replacing Ty Lawson at the point. Drew II, a sophomore, is averaging 6.7 assists in the first seven games of the year, and he needs to only keep his turnovers down to be effective.
Betting Edge: Draw
Michigan State vs North Carolina betting odds maker breakdown: DEFENSE
The Michigan State defense has gotten off to a shaky start, allowing 66.0 points per game. With Goran Suton graduated, the Spartans don’t really have a big man in the middle to alter shots anymore. Lucas is a heady perimeter defender, but he gambles sometimes. Morgan, Draymond Green and Delvon Roe will be their main guys on the glass.
North Carolina has allowed 70.9 points per game, and they have a very good anchor of Davis in the post, and Marcus Ginyard on the perimeter. Davis is averaging 2.6 blocks, while Ginyard has 2.3 steals, but outside of those two, the Tar Heels have been a bit sloppy. They had the same problem last year, but they could outscore anyone in the nation. North Carolina will need to tighten up here to improve their sportsbook odds.
Betting Edge: Michigan State
Michigan State vs North Carolina betting odds maker breakdown: COACHING
Between these two great coaches, there are 941 wins and three national championships in the mix. Their teams personify their coaches: Michigan State is a tough-as-nails team that will bang with you until you give up, while North Carolina likes to get out and run. You’ll find Izzo and Williams in the top-ten lists of anyone who knows anything about coaching college basketball, and there’s not a lot between them. However, Izzo has the added motivation of last year’s loss, as well as a 2005 Final Four loss to Williams’ Tar Heels.
Betting Edge: Michigan State
Michigan State vs North Carolina betting odds maker breakdown: BETTING PREDICTION
The Tar Heels have won four straight against the Spartans and six of eight overall, but I’m not sold on Carolina’s defense yet. Izzo is smart enough to find a way to neutralize Davis, but someone else may have to step up on offense as Lucas should be shadowed by Ginyard. The Spartans’ inside players will have their hands full with Davis and Thompson, but they’re physical enough to bang with them.
WASHINGTON’S PICK: Michigan State
Washington Tucker previews the biggest college basketball betting games of the week, so check him out in the Betting Edge at BetOnline. For more sports betting information on the Michigan State vs North Carolina matchup, visit our stats section.
