March Madness: North Carolina vs. Ole Miss odds, picks and predictions
North Carolina took down San Diego State 95-68 Tuesday in the First Four in Dayton, Ohio, covering as a 4.5-point favorite with the Over (141.5) hitting. G RJ Davis scored a game-high 26 points — he was 6-for-6 from beyond the arc — while G Seth Trimble added 16 points off the bench. The Tar Heels shot 58.3% from deep (14-for-24) in the dominant win.
Ole Miss dropped 2 of its last 3 games, recently falling 62-57 to top-ranked Auburn in an SEC Tournament quarterfinal March 14. The Rebels did cover as 13-point underdogs vs. the Tigers as the Under (156) cashed. G Sean Pedulla's 14.9 points per game (PPG) leads the Rebels, who feature 5 other players averaging double figures in points.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men's Basketball Coaches Poll
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North Carolina vs. Ole Miss odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:04 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML) : North Carolina -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Ole Miss +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
: North Carolina -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Ole Miss +110 (bet $100 to win $110) Against the spread (ATS) : North Carolina -1.5 (-110) | Ole Miss +1.5 (-110)
: North Carolina -1.5 (-110) | Ole Miss +1.5 (-110) Over/Under (O/U): 155.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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North Carolina vs. Ole Miss picks and predictions
Prediction
North Carolina 83, Ole Miss 78
PASS.
While not by much, there is better value on the Tar Heels (-135) to cover the spread.
BET NORTH CAROLINA -1.5 (-110).
The Tar Heels will have momentum on their side after the impressive 27-point First Four victory over the Aztecs. They are one of the more criticized teams in the tournament, with their shaky Quad 1 record, but they have scored 81 or more points in 7 of their last 11 games and are 9-2 in that span.
Ole Miss is just 5-5 over its last 10 games and has scored 72 or fewer points in 6 of its last 10. They have failed to cover the spread in 8 of their last 10 games.
BET OVER 155.5 (-115).
The Tar Heels average 81.2 PPG (26th best in the country), while allowing almost 74.8 PPG (249th). They've scored at least 91 points in 4 of their last 8 games, while allowing 73 or more in 5 of their last 10. Against an evenly-matched Rebels team, the offense will be of utmost importance.
The Rebels have hit the Over in 7 of their last 10 games and have scored 78 or more points in 3 of their last 5. They average 77.2 PPG (91st), while they allow 71.6 PPG (169th).
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