Host Demon Deacons tackle Tar Heels
At the risk of upsetting the Wake Forest faithful, it appears as though neither solid defense nor dicey weather can derail North Carolina’s rollicking attack right now.
The ACC rivals collide in several hours, and handicappers aren’t shy about throwing their support behind Roy Williams’ group. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives the Tar Heels odds of -425 to take care of business away from Smith Center. Conversely, the Demon Deacons represent +345 underdogs.
On Sunday, No. 11 UNC annihilated upstart North Carolina State 107-56. The game had been originally pushed back due to poor road conditions in the Chapel Hill Area. Yet the host squad in no way seemed bothered, shooting 49 percent from the field and logging 21assists. Even junior swingman Theo Pinson returned from a prolonged absence to haul down five boards and snatch four steals.
Danny Manning’s troops dropped a 79-62 decision at Virginia three nights ago. Nonetheless, Wake Forest (10-6) is just one win shy of matching last season’s victory total. North Carolina (14-3) would do well to pay close attention to sophomore John Collins. Despite frequent bouts of foul trouble, the 6-foot-10 forward continues to pace Wake Forest in scoring, rebounds and blocks.
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But while Collins ably commands the lane at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the Tar Heels boast a slew of interior difference-makers. They’re the nation’s top rebounding team, and by a fairly wide margin. Expect the boys in the powder blue uniforms to flex that muscle again this evening.
WEDNESDAY NCAA FREE PICK: NORTH CAROLINA -8.5