Last Updated on March 18, 2011 9:00 pm by drew
Long Island vs. North Carolina Odds
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (TheSpread) – North Carolina will feel right at home when it takes on Long Island in its NCAA Tournament opener on Friday.
View Current College Basketball Odds
North Carolina is the No. 2 seed in the East Region while Long Island is the 15 seed. These two will meet at 7:15PM ET from Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina.
According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook Sportsbook.com North Carolina is a 17.5-point spread favorite for Friday’s game with Long Island. The over/under total has been set at 159 points.
North Carolina is 26-7 on the season and 4-4 at a neutral site. The Tar Heels are 15-14-1 against the point spread this season and they have hit the under in 17 of 30 lined games. UNC won the ACC regular season title to earn an at-large bid. The Heels are 2-3 against ranked opponents this season and average 76.7 points per game. UNC also averages 42.5 rebounds per game, which is the most of any team in the country. Forward Harrison Barnes has led the team this season as he averages 15 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
LIU is 27-5 on the season and this is its first game on a neutral floor. The Blackbirds are 1-2 against the point spread and have went over the point total in 2 of 3 lined games. Long Island won the Northeast Conference Tournament to earn a spot in March Madness. LIU has won 13-straight games coming into Friday and they average 82.6 points per game, which is the fourth-highest total in the nation. LIU has been led this season by forward Julian Boyd, who averages 12.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per contest.
Trends show that Long Island is 2-5 against the point spread in their last 7 games while North Carolina is 10-1 ATS in their last 11 NCAA Tournament games.
In terms of injuries, Long Island comes in healthy while North Carolina guard Reggie Bullock will be out the rest of the season because of a knee injury.
Over 3,200 public bets have been placed on this game with North Carolina getting 58% of the wagers with a spread of -17.5 against Long Island on Friday.
2011 March Madness Game Odds:
Long Island vs. North Carolina, 7:15PM ET (View Matchup)
Long Island +17.5 Over 159
North Carolina -17.5 Under 159
Bet on Long Island vs. North Carolina Odds
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