Stanford Cardinal vs North Carolina Tar Heels NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/18/25
Betting on today’s Cardinal and Tar Heels game? Catch the action at Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC, as the Tar Heels hosts this showdown at 2:15 ET on CW. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 156.5 points, and North Carolina is favored by -11.5 to win at home against Stanford.
STANFORD CARDINAL VS NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS BETTING PICK
The Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels -11.5
This game will be played at Dean E. Smith Center at 2:15 ET on Saturday, January 18th.
WHY BET THE NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 80-66 in favor of the Tar Heels.
- Not only will North Carolina pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -11.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 156.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 146 points.
Is a Win at Chapel Hill Possible for the Cardinal?
Stanford Cardinal Recent Game/Games
Stanford dropped to 11-6 on the season after an 80-67 loss to Wake Forest on Wednesday. The Cardinal entered the game as +5.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread.
Stanford led 35-33 at halftime but struggled in the second half, allowing 47 points while scoring just 32. The total points for the game were 147, exceeding the over/under line of 140.5.
In their last game, Stanford put up 67 points, shooting 44.4% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 51.9%, and they connected on 78.6% of their free throws, hitting 11 of 14 attempts. The Cardinal managed 6 offensive rebounds and dished out 15 assists.
Hunter Sallis led the way with 30 points, shooting 70.6% overall and 60% from three-point range. Tre’Von Spillers added 18 points, hitting 80% of his shots, while Oziyah Sellers contributed 16 points, knocking down 50% of his threes.
Stanford’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 80 points on 50% shooting from the field. The Cardinal allowed 55% shooting on two-point attempts, with the opposing team hitting 26 of 47 shots inside the arc.
From three-point range, Stanford held their opponent to 27% shooting, with just 3 made threes on 11 attempts. However, they sent the other team to the free-throw line 24 times, where they converted 19 shots for 79%. Stanford also gave up 9 offensive rebounds.
Can the North Carolina Offense Score Enough at Home?
North Carolina Tar Heels Recent Game/Games
North Carolina improved to 12-6 on the season with a dominant 79-53 win over California on Wednesday. Playing at home, the Tar Heels entered the game as -15.5 point favorites and covered the spread with ease.
UNC led 39-29 at halftime and clamped down defensively in the 2nd half, allowing just 24 points while scoring 40. The game’s total points of 132 fell well short of the 159.5 O/U line.
North Carolina put up 79 points in their latest game, shooting 47.7% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 52.3%. They connected on 51% of their two-point attempts (26/51) and hit 35.7% from beyond the arc (5/14), while excelling at the free-throw line, making 12 of 13 attempts (92.3%).
Ian Jackson led the way with 20 points and 7 rebounds, shooting 53.3% overall. Mady Sissoko was highly efficient, hitting 8 of 9 shots for 16 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. Elliot Cadeau added 15 points and 3 assists, and Seth Trimble contributed 12 points and 6 boards.
Despite giving up 53 points, North Carolina allowed their opponent to shoot 47% from the field, including 51% on two-point attempts (26/51). The Tar Heels also gave up 11 offensive rebounds.
From beyond the arc, North Carolina’s defense held their opponent to 35% shooting, with 5 made threes on 14 attempts. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 13 times, where they converted 12 of those attempts for 92%.