The Syracuse Orange and North Carolina Tar Heels will meet in Houston, Texas for a Final Four match-up. Syracuse is the first 10 seed to ever qualify for a Final Four. Syracuse and UNC are co-ACC foes and have met twice this year where UNC swept the Orange in both affairs. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:45 PM, to be aired on CBS. The betting odds on this Final Four contest opened with the Tar Heels as a 9-point favorite and a total line of 144.5.
North Carolina boasts one of the nation’s best scoring offenses, averaging 83 points per game (10th Nationally) and shooting 48.2% from the field. The Tar Heels are also a rebound specialist, averaging 40.7 boards per game and giving up 28.5 rebounds per game. UNC went to work on Indiana and Notre Dame, defeating the Hoosiers and Irish by an average margin of 14.5 points.
Coach Jim Boeheim continues to lead the charge and Syracuse enters with an exclamation point. Syracuse would piece together a 25-4 run in the second half against No.1 Virginia to knock off the Cavaliers 68-62. The Orange rank in the top 25 nationally in three of four major defensive categories, including scoring defense (25th), opponent three-point field goal percentage (18th) and opponent free throw percentage (22th). These metrics undoubtedly were fundamental in leading the Orange to victory, as their offense is not a strong unit.
North Carolina Tar Heels, 32-6 SU, 19-18 ATS
Syracuse Orange, 23-13 SU, 20-15 ATS
- CUSE has won their last four fixtures.
- UNC has won their last eight games.
- Both teams are 7-3 against the spread in their last ten matches.
Currently 67% of the money is with the Heels. On the Money Line, Cuse is offered at 430, UNC is priced at -550 and 73% have taken the Tar Heels as well. As for the Total Line, 88% are aboard the under, currently that number is sitting at 145.