One of the most exciting nonconference games of the college basketball season is on tap when the North Carolina Tar Heels host the Kentucky Wildcats at 5:30 ET Saturday. These are two of the most successful programs in the sport's history, and both are playing well and ranked in the top 15 of the AP poll.
The Tar Heels have only fallen to other top programs in Villanova and UConn. North Carolina has covered the spread four out of nine times, but the offense has been potent over their last six games with the OVER hitting in five of six. While sharing a 7-2 record with North Carolina, Kentucky's two losses are not as strong.
Their loss to Kansas is fine, but losing to UNC-Wilmington two weeks ago as an 18-point favorite was a terrible performance. That is not uncommon under John Calipari, who regularly recruits top recruiting classes and depends on freshmen for big minutes. That can lead to growing pains and occasional losses to teams the Wildcats should handle easily.
RJ Davis of North Carolina and Antonio Reeves of Kentucky will be one of the most exciting guard matchups of any game this season. They can both score the ball at will, shoot the three-pointer and have shown the ability to be clutch late in games. Where the Tar Heels appear to have the advantage is the frontcourt, where Armonda Bacot averages almost twice the rebounds of any Kentucky player.
We have this blue blood battle's live odds, team betting news, best value team futures from the best sportsbook apps and our betting prediction for North Carolina vs. Kentucky.
Live odds for North Carolina vs. Kentucky
Here are the spread, moneyline and total points live odds for North Carolina vs. Kentucky at the best online sportsbooks.
More: Best College Basketball Betting Sites & Apps 2023 | College Basketball Odds: NCAAB Betting Lines, Spreads and Futures
North Carolina Tar Heels betting news
Carolina has looked like a much improved team this season after some off-season roster restructuring. The Tar Heels went to the National Championship game in Hubert Davis' first season in 2021-2022. Then, with almost no roster turnover last season, the Tar Heels went from a National Championship runner-up and preseason No. 1 team to missing the NCAA tournament.
After some players transferred out or graduated and only additions that seemed minor, the Tar Heels are back to looking like one of the best teams in the country. They could be a case study for how chemistry, coaching, effort and consistency can be even more important regardless of how talented a team is.
One player who has performed better than expected early in the season is Elliot Cadeau. The freshman guard was highly ranked, but to earn a role he had to beat out more experienced players for playing time in Carolina's backcourt. Cadeau does some things really well, though, that the other Tar Heels guards outside of RJ Davis do not. He is leading the team in assists with 4.1 per game and is scoring 7.1 PPG.
The most significant addition to the Tar Heels playing group has been Harrison Ingram, a Stanford transfer and former top-10 overall recruit. Considering the lofty expectations placed on him, Ingram's first two seasons at Stanford were a disappointment. The change in scenery has been great for Ingram, who is averaging career highs in almost every statistical category. He has improved his scoring average (15.1 PPG), increased his shooting percentages (48.5 FG%, 46.3 3P%) and been a strong wing defender who, at 6-foot-7, gives North Carolina a big, versatile athlete capable of playing anywhere.
We have yet to mention Armando Bacot and RJ Davis much, but they are two players performing as expected. Davis has been scoring the ball really well, leading the team with 21 points per game. At the same time, Bacot is a walking double-double, averaging 15.9 PPG and 11.9 RPG.
The depth for Carolina is as good as it has ever been in Hubert Davis' tenure. With the seventh-ranked offense on Kenpom for adjusted offensive efficiency and the 48th-ranked adjusted defense, the Tar Heels can compete with any team in the country.
North Carolina Tar Heels team futures
The Tar Heels would love nothing more than to compete for an ACC Title but also get back to the National Championship game and change the result this time around. Carolina has the pieces to do it, and if the transfers and freshmen keep steadily improving, the Tar Heels will be a team no one wants to face in March.
- Win National Championship: +4000 at Bet365 Sportsbook
- Make Final Four: +1000 at FanDuel Sportsbook
- Win ACC: +450 at Caesars Sportsbook
Kentucky Wildcats betting news
Kentucky looked good to start the season, and John Calipari's squad bounced back quickly after a loss to Kansas. The Wildcats won four straight after losing to the Jayhawks, including a 22-point victory over Miami. Then the brutal loss to UNC-Wilmington derailed the Wildcats.
They won their next game against UPenn, but if they want to beat the Tar Heels, the Wildcats need better focus and play like they are capable, not how they did against UNC-Wilmington. Kentucky has plenty of scoring options, with seven players averaging between 9.8 and 18 points per game.
Kentucky also has four players averaging at least 3.8 assists per game, with Rob Dillingham leading the team with 4.9 APG. If there is an area where they have struggled, it is in the frontcourt, as Kentucky does not have much depth behind senior forward Tre Mitchell. Aaron Bradshaw was supposed to play a crucial bench role but has only seen the floor in two games due to injury.
That could spell trouble against a team like Carolina with Armonda Bacot, who may be the best rebounding player in all of college basketball. On Kenpom, the Wildcats rank 13th for adjusted offensive efficiency and 52nd for adjusted defensive. This game could become a track meet.
The Tar Heels and Wildcats are in the top 50 for adjusted tempo and have plenty of depth to sub in and out to ensure players stay rested and can play their best when it matters most. The last player to mention for Kentucky is their leading scorer, Antonio Reeves. The senior guard has been fantastic this season, averaging 18 PPG and shooting 51.3% from the field, both career bests.
Reeves' worst game of the season was against UNCW in their upset loss. Reeves needs to be at his best because Armando Bacot has an advantage for the Tar Heels in the front court. If RJ Davis outplays Reeves, it is tough to imagine the Wildcats winning.
Kentucky Wildcats team futures
Relying on young players is complex, which has been the downfall of Kentucky for many years and has kept them from winning John Calipari's second National Championship. This year's team's odds have dipped, especially after their loss to UNCW. Yet this team has an interesting mix of strong veterans and uber-talented freshmen. Regardless of whether they beat North Carolina, this Kentucky team has the talent to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
- Win National Championship: +2600 at FanDuel Sportsbook
- Make Final Four: +650 at FanDuel Sportsbook
- Win SEC: +600 at BetMGM Sportsbook
North Carolina vs. Kentucky prediction: Tar Heels and Wildcats put up a ton of points.
Kentucky has yet to beat a really good team and still needs time for some of their young players to grow up. Their talent may be better than North Carolina's, but the Tar Heels are the more consistent team right now. Regardless, it is hard to be confident in picking either team to win, much less cover the spread. But Carolina and Kentucky both have top-ranked offenses and play fast, so we can expect a lot of points in this one.
Pick: OVER
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