North Carolina vs. Virginia odds, score prediction: 2024 college basketball picks for Feb. 24 by proven model
The Virginia Cavaliers (20-7) and the No. 10 North Carolina Tar Heels (20-6) link up in an ACC battle on Saturday. The Tar Heels are tied for first in the ACC with a 12-3 record against ACC foes. Meanwhile, Virginia is in the third spot with an 11-5 record in conference matchups. UNC is 15-11 against the spread this season, while Virginia has a 14-12-1 ATS record.
Tipoff from John Paul Jones Arena in Virginia is set for 4 p.m. ET. The Tar Heels are 2.5-point favorites in the latest North Carolina vs. Virginia odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 131. Before making any Virginia 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 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. UVA 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 UVA vs. UNC:
- North Carolina vs. Virginia spread: Tar Heels -2.5
- North Carolina vs. Virginia over/under 131 points
- North Carolina vs. Virginia money line: Tar Heels -146, Cavaliers +124
- UNC: North Carolina has hit the game total Under in 10 of last 13 away games
- UVA: Virginia has won 15 of its last 18 games at home
- North Carolina vs. Virginia picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why North Carolina can cover
Junior forward Harrison Ingram is a big, athletic force in the frontcourt. Ingram shoots well from beyond the arc and has the bounce to play above the rim. The Texas native puts up 12.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and shoots 40.7% on his 3-point attempts. In his last game, Ingram totaled 12 points and 17 boards.
Senior guard Cormac Ryan can knock down shots on the perimeter. Ryan is constantly moving without the ball to create space, logging 10.8 points and three rebounds per game. He's scored 16-plus in two straight games. In the Feb. 13 loss to Syracuse, Ryan tallied 18 points, three assists, and went 4-of-9 from downtown. See which team to pick here.
Why Virginia can cover
Senior guard Reece Beekman is an impactful player for the Cavaliers. The Wisconsin native leads the team in points (13.9), assists (5.8) and steals (2.2). He's racked up 20-plus points in three of his last seven games. On Feb. 17 against Wake Forest, Beekman had 20 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Sophomore guard Isaac McKneely provides the squad with a knockdown shooter on the outside. McKneely has a very quick release as a catch-and-shoot threat and even off the dribble. The West Virginia native averages 12.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and shoots 46% from downtown. In the Feb. 10 game versus Florida State, McKneely dropped a season-high 29 points and made five threes. See which team to pick here.
How to make Virginia vs. UNC picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 137 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits more than 60% of the time. You can see the picks at SportsLine.
