North Carolina vs. Clemson odds, line, time: 2024 college basketball picks, Jan. 6 best bets by proven model

A pair of ACC powers duke it out on Saturday when the eighth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels face the 16th-ranked Clemson Tigers at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, S.C. The Tar Heels (10-3, 2-0 ACC), who are 3-2 against ranked opponents this season, are riding a three-game winning streak after snapping a two-game drought. The Tigers (11-2, 1-1 ACC), who are just 2-2 since starting the year 9-0, are coming off a 95-82 loss at Miami. UNC has dominated the all-time series, winning 135 of 158 matchups.

The game starts at noon ET. Clemson is averaging 82.2 points per game, while North Carolina averages 85. The Tigers are 3-point favorites in the latest North Carolina vs. Clemson odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 158.5. Before making any Clemson vs. North Carolina picks, .

The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters Week 9 of the 2023-24 season on a 101-66 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning more than $2,000 for $100 players. It is also off to a fast 11-4 start on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen huge returns.

The model has set its sights on UNC vs. Clemson. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Now here are the latest betting trends and lines for Clemson vs. UNC.

• North Carolina vs. Clemson spread: Clemson -3
• North Carolina vs. Clemson over/under: 158.5 points
• North Carolina vs. Clemson money line: Clemson -162, UNC +136
• UNC: The Tar Heels have hit the game total under in 10 of their last 13 road games (+6.70 units)
• CLEM: The Tigers have hit the game total over in 21 of their last 32 games (+8.90 units)
• North Carolina vs. Clemson picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why North Carolina can cover

The Tar Heels are led by senior guard RJ Davis, who leads the ACC in scoring (21.1) and free throw % (.949), is tied for third in 3-pointers per game (2.9) and is 13th in assists (3.6). He is shooting 39.6% from 3-point range and 94.9% from the free throw line, both career highs. Davis has made 56 of 59 free throws, including a streak of 41 straight, which tied the UNC record. He has scored in double figures 83 times, and the Tar Heels are 56-27 in those games.

Junior Harrison Ingram, a transfer from Stanford, has already made his presence felt. He is among the team leaders at 13.4 points per game, but is also averaging seven rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals. He is hitting on 44.1% of his field goals, including 42.9% from 3-point range. He has registered two double-doubles, including a 13-point and 10-rebound effort against Arkansas on Nov. 24. He was four assists shy of a triple-double. See who to back at SportsLine. 

Why Clemson can cover

Senior center PJ Hall paces the Tigers' offense, averaging 20.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He is connecting on 56.3% of his shots from the floor, including 37.9% from 3-point range, and 79.6% at the foul line. He has reached double-digit scoring in every game, including two double-doubles. In a 79-70 win at Pittsburgh on Dec. 3, Hall scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. He had 29 points and 10 boards in a 90-69 win over Alcorn State on Nov. 24.

Another big part of Clemson's success is due to the play of guard Joseph Girard III. The fifth-year senior, who played his first four years at Syracuse, has started all 13 games for the Tigers. In 31.5 minutes of action, he is averaging 15.8 points, 3.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds. He is connecting on 46.7% of his field goals, including a blistering 45.2% from 3-point range, and 92.1% of his free throws. In the win at Pittsburgh, Girard scored a season-high 25 points, while adding two assists. See who to back at SportsLine. 

How to make Clemson vs. UNC picks

The model has simulated this matchup 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is leaning Under the total, and it also says one side of the spread hits in well over 70% of simulations. You can only see the picks at SportsLine.