Villanova vs North Carolina odds – Taming the Wildcats
Villanova vs North Carolina odds aren’t entirely unexpected—after all, the Tar Heels (-7) are usually a Final Four betting staple, and their 18th appearance in this round of the NCAA Tournament ties them with UCLA for first all-time.
They’ll be matching up against surprising Villanova (+7), which is the lowest remaining seed in the “Big Dance.”
Villanova vs North Carolina odds – Saturday, April 4, 8:47 PM ET
- WHO: Villanova Wildcats vs North Carolina Tar Heels (-7)
- WHAT: Final Four betting
- WHEN: Saturday, April 4 at 8:47 PM ET
- WHERE: Ford Field in Detroit, MI
- KEY STATS: North Carolina has been to 18 Final Fours; Villanova has been to four
- PICK: North Carolina
The Wildcats won the East region as a No. 3 seed, surviving a first-round scare from American before rolling over UCLA and Duke. Scottie Reynolds hit a last-second runner in the lane to give the Wildcats a 78-76 victory over top-seeded and Big East rival Pittsburgh.
Strong free-throw shooting kept ’Nova in that one as they hit 21 straight at the charity stripe, finishing 22-of-23 overall. Reynolds and Dante Cunningham lead the team, but Dwayne Anderson has emerged as a solid third scoring option for the Wildcats, who are 36th in the nation in scoring. That boost certainly helps the ’Cats on Villanova vs North Carolina odds.
The Tar Heels know a little something about filling the basket themselves, as UNC is second in the NCAA in scoring. But it was North Carolina's defense that got them through the South region as the top seed, beating Radford, LSU and Gonzaga before reaching Oklahoma. The Tar Heels dropped the Sooners 72-60 despite a rough day for Tyler Hansbrough, and a big day by Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin, who had 23 points and 16 boards.
Hansbrough was in foul trouble, but the Tar Heels put forth arguably their best defensive performance of the season, harassing Oklahoma’s outside shooters into a 2-of-19 effort from beyond the arc. The Tar Heels have held their March Madness betting opponents to 66.2 points in their four wins, below their season average of 72.1. With that type of balance between scoring and defense, it’s no wonder UNC is the Final Four favorite this year.
Words can’t explain how important Ty Lawson has been to the UNC cause, as he leads the Tar Heels on both sides of the ball. He’ll have his hands full with the improving Reynolds, but he’ll have the memory of Carolina’s 18-point postseason loss to Kansas last year fresh in his mind, as he was one of the worst players on the court that night. Watch out for Ty Lawson on Villanova vs North Carolina odds.
Final Four odds have the Tar Heels as a seven-point favorite. The Wildcats beat the Tar Heels in 1995 and 1996, but UNC eliminated ’Nova in the 2005 Sweet 16 with a 67-66 win, en route to the national title.
WASHINGTON’S PICK: Villanova’s had a great run, but they don’t have the secondary scoring that UNC has, and with the Tar Heels’ newfound commitment to defense, it’s hard to see anyone stopping them. Bet on North Carolina this Saturday.
For more Villanova vs North Carolina odds and other March Madness odds, keep up-to-date with BetOnline.com.
Washington Tucker was practically raised at Rucker Park. Though a freak knee injury cost him a major college basketball scholarship, his “sixth-sense” on the hardwood has translated into a spectacular career in basketball handicapping. Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
