Duke Blue Devils vs UNC Tar Heels: Free NCAAB Pick from Tobacco Road, 2–8–2018
Free College Basketball Spread Pick by Stevie Atlantic of Sports Picks Forum
Duke Blue Devils vs North Carolina Tar Heels
NCAAB: Thursday, February 8th 8:00 PM EST
Odds: UNC +2
The most historic rivalry in college basketball is set to tip off tonight when the #8 Duke Blue Devils travel down Tobacco road to take on the #22 UNC Tar Heels. Duke is (19–4 SU, 13–8 ATS) while UNC is (17–7 SU, 12–10–1 ATS).
Duke had a set back last Saturday losing to St. John’s on the road, 81–77. Duke’s youth showed down the stretch and the Blue Devils committing 18 turnovers and missing some key free throws in the final minutes. Marvin Bagley III leads the ACC with an average of 21.4 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. The freshman forward has been more than advertised and is a sure-fire top draft pick.
The Blue Devils have gone (7–3 SU) their last 10 games but they have lost two of three to UVA and St. John’s, with a win over Notre Dame in between. Duke currently leads the nation in scoring at 89.6 points per game while conceding 72.4. Duke ranks 2nd in the nation in rebounding with 42.6 RPG behind only North Carolina.
UNC got back in the win column with a much needed 96–65 home win against Pittsburgh on Saturday to bring their ACC record to (6–5). Prior to their win over Pitt, the Tar Heels had lost three straight to Virginia Tech, NC State, and Clemson. UNC is just (2–4) vs ranked opponents this season. North Carolina is currently averaging 82.8 points per game while conceding an average of 72.8 points. Joel Berry II (17.3 PPG) is the spark plug of this team and one of the top guards in the nation.
This rivalry is deep and more often then not, these teams meet up while ranked in the Top 25. Interestingly enough, home teams in the Tobacco Road Rivalry are just 12–25–1 ATS (19–19 SU), with the visitor covering 67.5 percent of the time. While the point spread favorite has ended up winning 33 of the previous 45 meetings between Duke and UNC, its margin of victory is just more than a single point. A natural inclination would be to take the Tar Heels at home with how bad Duke’s defense has been but both of these teams have visible flaws. UNC has lost three out of their last four games, and they allowed over 80 points in all three losses in that span. Duke is the top offensive team in the nation which bodes well for the Blue Devils. The 3-point play will be big in this matchup and UNC does not defend well from beyond the arc. With five days off, Coach K will have his team ready and you can guarantee it was not a friendly week of practice after losing to St. John’s. Duke is the better team and they should pick up the road win in a tightly contested game.
Duke vs UNC FREE Pick: Duke -2
