The North Carolina Tar Heels and Pittsburgh Panthers snapped respective losing skids this past weekend, but only one team can continue on the winning path when they battle tonight in ACC action.
North Carolina is coming off a close overtime win against Boston College and needs to build momentum before a Tobacco Road run-in with rival Duke this coming weekend. That starts with putting up points at Pitt in concert with my North Carolina vs Pittsburgh predictions.
Here are my best college basketball picks on Tuesday, January 28.
North Carolina vs Pittsburgh prediction
My best bet
North Carolina team total Over 74.5 (-120 at bet365)
My analysis
The North Carolina Tar Heels rank among the more explosive offenses in the land but haven’t quite played like it in recent games, being stuck in a scoring malaise for most of January.
However, a matchup with a soft Boston College defense helped kickstart the UNC offense on the weekend. The Tar Heels scored 89 points in regulation — 46 in the first half — and shot 56% for the game.
Strong starts are a point of emphasis for head coach Hubert Davis, with North Carolina averaging less than 39 points in the opening 20 minutes along with a 1H margin of just +0.7 on the year. That’s in contrast to the team’s second-half results of 44.7 points — the sixth-most 2H points in the country.
"This group has always found it. I think they’ve found it when they have needed it," Davis told the media after the win over the Eagles. "It’s needed at the jump ball. That’s something that’s just going to have to change.”
The Pittsburgh Panthers knocked off Syracuse 77-73 on the road this weekend. That was the fewest points Pitt has allowed in five games, snuffing out a four-game losing skid that saw the Panthers give up an average of almost 80 points.
North Carolina pushes tempo at one of the fastest paces in the land, looking to score in transition and get high-percentage looks at the rim. The Heels are also very active in the half-court set and fire up plenty of attempts early into the shot clock.
The Panthers played a similar up-tempo attack versus Florida State on January 15 and got run out of the gym by the Seminoles, who rebounded from a cold first half to score 54 points on 59% shooting in the second. Pitt allowed 82 points to FSU when the smoke settled.
Game projections call for a high-scoring finish inside the Petersen Events Center, with the Tar Heels forecasted for at least 77 points on Tuesday night. That sits above UNC’s team total of 74.5 points at bet365.
North Carolina vs Pittsburgh same-game parlay (SGP)
North Carolina team total Over 75.5
Elliot Cadeau 5+ assists
North Carolina moneyline
Davis is preaching strong starts and UNC’s tempo can push Pitt’s defense on its heels. Models call for at least 77 points from North Carolina.
Cadeau is forecast for more than six assists and he’s had five or more dimes in seven of his last 10 games.
Projections call for a close game and the Heels’ pace can take the Panthers out of their comfort zone.
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North Carolina vs Pittsburgh odds
North Carolina vs Pittsburgh live odds
North Carolina vs Pittsburgh opening odds
- Spread: North Carolina +3.5 (-110) | Pittsburgh -3.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: North Carolina +150 | Pittsburgh -180
- Over/Under: Over 154 (-110) | Under 154 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
North Carolina vs Pittsburgh betting trend to know
Pittsburgh has gone Over the total in 12 of its last 19 games at home (+7.60 Units/36% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for North Carolina vs. Pittsburgh.
How to watch North Carolina vs Pittsburgh
| Location | Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Date | Tuesday, 1-28-2025 |
| Tip-off | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
North Carolina vs Pittsburgh key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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