Cardinals vs. Tar Heels Prediction
The Louisville Cardinals are coming off a narrow road loss and now have a difficult challenge today when they play at the 12th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels. Can Louisville keep it close as double-digit underdogs?
Game Snapshot
607 Louisville Cardinals at 608 North Carolina Tar Heels
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Dean E. Smith Center at 12PM ET
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Tar Heels are a 12-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under is set at 159 points. As of Saturday morning, 61 percent of public bets are coming in on host North Carolina. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Cardinals edged at Pitt
Louisville dropped an 89-86 decision in overtime Wednesday night at Pittsburgh to fall to 10-5 on the season and 1-1 in ACC play. Christen Cunningham led the way for the Cardinals with 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting including 2-of-3 from 3-point range plus 3-of-3 at the free throw line. He also contributed five assists and two rebounds. Steven Enoch registered 14 points plus seven boards off the bench. Dwayne Sutton had 12 points, 11 caroms and three assists. Ryan McMahon added 11 points and three assists as a reserve. Louisville outscored the hosts 51-41 in the second half to force overtime before being out-pointed 10-7 in the extra session. The Cardinals shot 31-of-68 from the floor, 7-of-28 from 3-point distance and 17-23 at the free throw line.
Tar Heels down rival Wolfpack
North Carolina secured a 90-82 victory at rival North Carolina State Tuesday night to move to 12-3 on the season and 2-0 in conference action. The Tar Heels led 47-42 at halftime and continue to keep control after the break. Luke Maye paced UNC with 21 points on 6-of-13 shooting including 2-of-5 from 3-point range plus 7-of-8 from the charity stripe. He also notched 11 rebounds and three assists. Coby White tallied 19 points, five boards and four assists. Cameron Johnson contributed 15 points, 11 caroms and five assists. Kenny Williams recorded 15 points, 10 rebounds and two assists. Garrison Brooks added 11 points plus seven rebounds and five assists.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Louisville
The Cardinals are 1-4-1 ATS in their last six games overall. Louisville is 6-1-1 ATS in its last eight games following a straight up loss.
North Carolina
The Tar Heels are 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall. North Carolina at 5-1 ATS in its last six ACC games.
Prediction:
North Carolina has won all seven of its home contests this season, all by double digits. The Tar Heels now face a Louisville squad coming off a disappointing defeat at a Pitt squad that hadn’t previously beaten any team in the top 75. I think the Cardinals’ defensive deficiences will get them in trouble here and allow UNC to pull away by enough to cover this spread.
NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS -12