Tar Heels catch Hoosiers at vulnerable time

Tar Heels catching Hoosiers at vulnerable time

It’s bad enough that Indiana succumbed to middling Fort Wayne last week. Now, though, Tom Crean’s troops may have to face No. 3 North Carolina without their leading scorer.

Junior guard James Blackmon Jr. continues to battle a left knee injury, casting a long shadow over tonight’s Big Ten-ACC showdown. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives the visiting Tar Heels odds of -240 to emerge victorious. The Hoosiers, on the other hand, represent +200 underdogs.

Bet on Various NCAA Games

Blackmon Jr. made it through that 71-68 overtime loss to the Mastodons unscathed. However, persistent discomfort forced the 21-year-old to miss Sunday’s 85-52 shellacking of Mississippi Valley State. A torn ACL cost him almost the entire 2015-16 season, too.

IU (4-1) obviously needs all available resources against Roy Williams’ bunch. Coming off a 71-56 rout of Wisconsin, UNC’s pouring in 92.9 points a contest. Five Tar Heels average in double figures, with upperclassmen Justin Jackson, Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks spearheading the charge.

NCAA BB Quick Links: Free Matchup Reports | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Scoreboard | Betting Trends

The Assembly Hall crowd should keep Indiana laser-focused throughout this evening’s tilt. Still, Blackmon Jr.’s precarious health situation takes precedence. Lean toward North Carolina (7-0) by a rather comfortable margin.

 

WEDNESDAY NCAA FREE PICK: NORTH CAROLINA -6

College Basketball Predictions

Thumbnail Wizards vs. Magic Prediction & Odds A pair of struggling teams will meet in Orlando, FL on Tuesday night when the Magic host the Wizards at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Thumbnail Wisconsin vs. Oregon Prediction & Odds Two teams that are used to playing in the NCAA tournament will clash in Eugene, OR on Tuesday night where Oregon will host Wisconsin in the quarterfinals of...
Thumbnail Charlotte vs. Radford Prediction & Odds Charlotte and Radford advanced to the semifinals of the CBI with respective victories on Monday and will now square off at 9:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday...
Thumbnail Southern Utah vs. E. Kentucky Prediction The CBI moves to its semifinals on Tuesday night, with the first matchup pitting Southern Utah against Eastern Kentucky at 7:00 p.m. ET on...
Thumbnail North Texas vs. Oklahoma St. Prediction The NIT picks up again on Tuesday night in Stillwater, where Oklahoma State will host North Texas at 7:00 p.m. ET in the quarterfinal.

NCAAB Headlines