#2 Duke vs North Carolina: NCAA Basketball Odds & Best Bets

The last weekend of College Hoops brings us incredible rivalries, even if they aren’t as heated as they have been in year’s past. Despite North Carolina not having the best season, hosting the #2 Duke Blue Devils to end their season always brings a certain energy to the stadium. And the Tar Heels are going to need it if they want to win.

North Carolina already lost on the road to Duke, 87-70. The Blue Devils jumped out to a huge first half lead and never looked back. Will things be similar a second time around? Or will the Tar Heels be able to rally in front of their home crowd for a much needed win headed into the ACC Tournament?

#2 Duke Blue Devils vs North Carolina Tar Heels: Classic Rivalry

Duke and North Carolina go head to head this weekend

Matchup Information – Duke vs North Carolina

• Venue & Location: Dean E. Smith Center (Chapel Hill, NC)
• Date: Saturday, March 8th, 2025
• Tip Off: 6:30pm Eastern
• Broadcast: ESPN

Betting Odds

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Spread

• Duke -10 (-105)
• North Carolina +10 (-115)

Total

• Over 157 (-110)
• Under 157 (-110)

Tar Heels Need a Win Against Rival

Will RJ Davis lead North Carolina to victory tonight?

Duke has been near perfect all year long, so it pretty much takes perfection to beat them. But it’s been done before, and this is certainly a game North Carolina has had circled for a while. Plus they’ve been trending in the right direction since losing to Duke.

The Tar Heels have strung together six straight wins, and are 7-1 since losing to the Blue Devils. Now they haven’t necessarily played anyone tough, but they can’t help it. The ACC simply isn’t that good this year. North Carolina will speed this game up, as they rank 24th in possessions per game. Their offense can handle this, ranking 34th overall and 63rd in eFG%, but their defense can’t.

Plus, we know what happens when you give the Duke Blue Devils extra possessions. Hint: They score more points.

We’ve backed the Blue Devils’ team total a couple times recently, and we will go right back to it this weekend. When Duke plays fast teams, they have no choice but to score extra points, so let’s bet on them to do just that.

#2 Duke Blue Devils vs North Carolina Tar Heels Best Bets

Kon Knueppel shoots over 38% from beyond the arc

Duke vs North Carolina Prediction: Duke Wins & Covers, Over 157

Best Bets: Duke TT Over 84.5 (-115) BetOnline

Duke already put up 87 against the Tar Heels. They average right around 84 points per game, while the Tar Heels give up 76 to their opponents. I know we are asking for a little bit above average here, but with the extra possessions expected in this game, it shouldn’t be an issue.

Duke has scored 93+ in four straight games, including reaching triple digits in two of those contests. Those games were against Illinois (17th in pace) and Florida State (56th in pace). Despite the Tar Heels winning games and playing well offensively, they allowed 85 to Florida State, 82 to Syracuse and 85 to Clemson in their last eight games. In fact, the Tar Heels seem to allow plenty of points to all of their toughest opponents this season.

Points Scored vs North Carolina

• Kansas: 92
• Auburn: 85
• Michigan State: 94 (82 in regulation)
• Alabama: 94
• Florida: 90

Duke’s offense is the equivalent or better of all of those teams listed above. Even though North Carolina may have revenge on their mind in this rivalry game, all they know is speed. That won’t be their friend in this matchup, as it will result in more Blue Devil points on the scoreboard.

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