North Carolina vs. Tennessee prediction, odds: 2023 college basketball picks, Nov. 29 bets by proven model
The No. 17 North Carolina Tar Heels (5-1) host the No. 10 Tennessee Volunteers (4-2) in one of the most anticipated matchups in the 2023 ACC/SEC Challenge on Wednesday evening. This will be the 13th game in history between the programs and UNC has dominated the series. The Tar Heels own a 10-2 record over the Volunteers. Despite that, Tennessee topped North Carolina 89-72 in 2021 the last time these teams met.
Tipoff at the Dean E. Smith Center is set for 7:15 p.m. ET. The latest North Carolina vs. Tennessee odds via SportsLine consensus list the Tar Heels as 2-point favorites. The over/under is 144.5. Before making any Tennessee vs. North Carolina 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 4 of the 2023-24 season on an 94-61 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning more than $1,800 for $100 players. It is also off to an 8-2 roll on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on UNC vs. Tennessee and revealed its CBB picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see the picks. Here are several college basketball odds and trends for Tennessee vs. UNC:
- North Carolina vs. Tennessee spread: UNC -2
- North Carolina vs. Tennessee over/under: 144.5 points
- North Carolina vs. Tennessee money line: UNC -134, Tennessee +113
- UNC: 3-3 ATS this season
- TN: 3-3 ATS this season
- North Carolina vs. Tennessee picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why North Carolina can cover
Junior forward Harrison Ingram is an all-around force. Ingram can handle the ball, shoot from the outside and hits the glass hard. The Texas native averages 14.2 points, seven rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Ingram has recorded two double-doubles thus far. In the win over Arkansas, he finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
Guards Elliot Cadeau and Seth Trimble may have bigger roles in this matchu with guard Cormac Ryan is uncertain for this game due to an ankle injury. In the win over Arkansas, Cadeau and Trimble combined to score 19 points, six rebounds and three assists. Both players have the ability to create their own shot and generate offense. See which team to pick here.
Why Tennessee can cover
The Vols are battle tested after facing the top two teams in the nation -- Purdue and Kansas -- in the Maui Invitational. They've gotten a boost from a pair of transfers thus far. Senior guard Dalton Knecht is a three-level scorer with great athleticism. Knecht uses his effective jumper to space the floor while owning the bounce to finish above the rim. The Northern Colorado transfer is averaging a team-high 17.5 points with 4.7 rebounds per game. He's scored in double figures in every game played this season. In the Nov. 20 win over Syracuse, Knecht logged 17 points, four rebounds and went 3-of-4 from downtown.
Junior guard Jordan Gainey is another transfer who has made an impact early in the season off the bench. Gainey gets downhill in a flash and can finish through contact consistently. The SC Upstate transfer is putting up 11.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and shoots 37% from downtown. In the loss to No.1 Kansas, Gainey notched 13 points, four rebounds and made three 3-pointers. See which team to pick here.
How to make Tennessee vs. UNC picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under the total, projecting 140 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread is the better value. You can only see the model's picks at SportsLine.
