- North Carolina vs Kansas kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
- Hubert Davis’ UNC teams are increasingly playing through their backcourt.
College basketball doesn’t believe in FCS openers and conservative nonconference schedules. Unlike its gridiron cousin, the college basketball season jumps straight into top 10 matchups and key resume-building showdowns.
Thus, on Friday night, No. 9 North Carolina heads to No. 1 Kansas for a compelling, must-watch game.
I know there are many people who only tune into college hoops once the calendar flips to March, but trust me – if you like college basketball odds, you’re going to want to flip on the television Friday night.
North Carolina vs Kansas Odds
Spread: Kansas -7.5
Total: 158.5
Moneyline: Kansas -350, North Carolina +260
North Carolina vs Kansas Preview
Friday night’s game between UNC and Kansas will be a classic basketball showdown: speed versus size.
Anchored by Hunter Dickinson, Kansas has one of the best frontcourts in college basketball. They will body North Carolina inside and dominate the paint. That will suck up the defense and lead to open jumpers on the outside.
Historically, North Carolina also has played through its frontcourt, particularly in the Roy Williams years. But Hubert Davis is building UNC to play through more of its backcourt these days, and so the identity of this year’s team will come through its up-tempo backcourt.
While that’s a perfectly good approach to team-building, I think it’ll probably hurt UNC in this game. Kansas will be able to bang bodies and overwhelm North Carolina with high-percentage shots near the rim.
Jalen Washington and Jae’Lyn Withers will be totally overwhelmed inside, and the Heels will have to keep pace with jump shots. When those threes stop falling, Kansas will look unstoppable.
North Carolina vs Kansas Prediction
I am predicting a Kansas win and cover on Friday night.
That said, I don’t love the idea of laying 7.5 points in a top 10 game at the beginning of the season, so my preference here is actually a moneyline parlay. I’d look for a second bet to pair Kansas -350 with.
That could be another college hoops leg, but there should be plenty of options also available in the NBA, NHL, or even the early Week 11 college football schedule.
I’m personally opting to combine Kansas -350 with the Memphis -350 college football moneyline.
North Carolina vs Kansas Pick: Kansas -350; Lean: Kansas -7.5
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