UConn Looks to Start New Streak in Jimmy V Classic Against UNC
UConn vs UNC Odds: Huskies Climb to 5.5-Point Favorites
The nightcap of the Jimmy V Classic features a pair of men’s college basketball blue bloods, with No. 5 UConn facing No. 9 North Carolina on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET) at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Even after their first loss, the defending national champion Huskies have climbed to 5.5-point favorites (-110) after opening at -3. Conversely, the Tar Heels are +5.5 (-110) on the spread while the Over/Under is 153 (-110 Over, -110 Under), one of the highest projected totals on the night.
What can bettors expect? Read on as we break down both NCAAB teams and evaluate the UNC vs UConn odds.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs UConn Huskies 
Day/Time:
Location: Madison Square Garden; New York
Streaming: ESPN
Betting Trends
The North Carolina Tar Heels have covered the spread in four of their last six NCAA basketball games and are 4-4 ATS overall. The total has gone Over in five of North Carolina’s eight games, including all three on neutral courts. The UConn Huskies are also 4-4 ATS. The total has gone Under in four of UConn’s last six games. That’s important to remember when assessing the UNC vs UConn odds.
Still Dominant and (Mostly) Undeterred
The UConn Huskies are coming off a 69-65 loss to then-No. 5 Kansas, their first since last year’s Big East Conference semifinals against Marquette.
As a result, the Huskies (7-1) dropped one spot to No. 5 in the AP Top 25 poll. Despite that they’re still +1400 to defend their national championship, third on the odds board behind Purdue (+1000) and Kansas (+1100).
They figure to be a bit more whole for North Carolina. Freshman guard Stephon Castle, a projected NBA lottery pick, will likely be available after missing the last six games with a knee injury. Per NCAAB player stats, Castle averaged 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in two games before undergoing a minor procedure in his knee in mid-November.
Fellow freshman Solomon Ball started in Castle’s place. Ball scored three points over 29 minutes against Kansas and is averaging 5.6 points on the college basketball season.
Three other starters — guard Cam Spencer (ankle), forward Alex Karaban (finger) and center Donovan Clingan (toe) — have also been dealing with injuries but are expected to play, according to Hurley. Be sure to monitor their statuses when analyzing the UNC vs UConn odds.
Prior to Kansas, UConn had won a Division I-record 24 straight nonconference games by double digits. Their last loss outside the Big East came against New Mexico State in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
Senior-Laden Tar Heels Climbing Back to Prominence
The North Carolina Tar Heels have been nearly perfect, with their lone blemish coming Thanksgiving Day in the Battle 4 Atlantis semifinals. The Tar Heels lost 83-81 in overtime to Villanova, but rebounded the next day to beat Arkansas 87-72 in the third-place game.
The Tar Heels (7-1) climbed eight spots to No. 9 in the AP poll, the highest ranking among teams from the ACC.
Hubert Davis’ team has leaned heavily on its experience, with a pair of seniors leading the way in scoring. Guard RJ Davis is averaging a team-high 20.4 points, while forward Armando Bacot is right behind at 16.3. They’ve also gotten solid contributions from a pair of transfers in Harrison Ingram (Stanford) and Cormac Ryan (Notre Dame), both of whom have joined Davis and Bacot as double-digit scorers.
North Carolina is still trying to win back respect after missing last year’s NCAA Tournament. The Tar Heels are priced +3000 to win the NCAA title, right alongside the likes of Alabama, Villanova and Baylor. But they could climb considerably on the NCAA basketball odds board with a victory over the Huskies.
Handicapping the Game
Madison Square Garden has been a home away from home for the Huskies and their rabid fans, who once again will pour into the World’s Most Famous Arena with plenty to cheer. Even without Castle, the Huskies were a missed 3-pointer by Spencer away from knocking off Kansas, a 3-point favorite, on the road.
Point guard Tristen Newton, one of the stars of last year’s NCAA title run, turned in another stellar performance with 31 points on six 3-pointers. The fifth-year senior also had a double-double against Indiana in the Empire Classic and notched a triple-double versus Manhattan.
Assuming the 7-foot-2 Clingan is healthy, the Huskies have a formidable shot-blocker to limit Bacot’s effectiveness in the post. That should go a long way toward beginning another winning streak against nonconference opponents. UConn looks like a deserving favorite.
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