North Carolina vs. Miami odds, score prediction: 2024 college basketball picks for Feb. 26 from proven model

The 10th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels go for the season sweep when they take on the Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes in Atlantic Coast Conference action on Monday. The Hurricanes (15-13, 6-11 ACC), who are out to snap a six-game losing streak, have lost six of the last eight meetings with North Carolina. The Tar Heels (21-6, 13-3 ACC), who have won two in a row, defeated Miami 75-72 on Feb. 10 in Carol Gables, Fla. The Hurricanes are 1-3 against ranked opponents this year, while the Tar Heels are 16-4 against unranked foes.

The game will tip off at 7 p.m. ET at Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Miami is averaging 77 points per game, while UNC averages 81.8. The Tar Heels are 14.5-point favorites in the latest Miami vs. North Carolina odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 156. Before making any North Carolina vs. Miami picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters Week 16 of the 2023-24 season on a 136-89 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $2,500 for $100 players. It is also off to a sizzling 25-13 start on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on UNC vs. Miami and revealed its CBB picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several college basketball odds and trends for Miami vs. UNC:

• North Carolina vs. Miami spread: Tar Heels -14.5
• North Carolina vs. Miami over/under 156 points
• North Carolina vs. Miami money line: Tar Heels -1355, Hurricanes +792
• UNC: 5-2 ATS in last seven when favored by 10+
• MIA: Covered +4.5 against UNC on Feb. 10 
• North Carolina vs. Miami picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why North Carolina can cover

Junior forward Harrison Ingram, a transfer from Stanford, is one of four Tar Heels averaging double-digit scoring. In 27 games, all starts, he is averaging 12.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 steals. He is connecting on 44.3% of his field goals, including a blistering 40.3% from 3-point range. He has nine double-doubles on the year, including a 12-point and 17-rebound performance in a 96-81 win over Virginia Tech on Feb. 17.

Senior guard Cormac Ryan was instrumental in helping the Tar Heels upend Virginia on Saturday, scoring 18 points with one block and one rebound. Ryan, who spent the last three years at Notre Dame, has started 25 of 26 games and is averaging 11.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists. He has reached double-digit scoring in each of the last three games. He had 18 points and three assists in an 86-79 loss at Syracuse on Feb. 13. See which team to pick here.

Why Miami can cover

The Hurricanes are led by junior forward Norchad Omier, who is in his second year with the program after spending two seasons at Arkansas State. In 27 games, all starts, Omier is averaging 17.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 assists in 30.3 minutes. He was dominant in the first matchup against the Tar Heels, registering a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. He also had three blocks and two steals. He has 14 double-doubles on the season, including a season-high 33 points and 10 rebounds in a 73-61 win at Notre Dame on Jan. 24.

Junior guard Matthew Cleveland has been red hot of late. He scored 20 points and grabbed three rebounds in an 85-77 loss at Boston College on Feb. 17. He followed that up with a 10-point, six-rebound effort in the loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday. In his first season with the Hurricanes after spending two years at Florida State, Cleveland has started all 25 games he has played in, averaging 13.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals in 32.5 minutes. See which team to pick here. 

How to make Miami vs. UNC picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 152 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 60% of the time. You can see the picks at SportsLine.