Texas Southern Vs North Carolina Lines, Expert Pick & TV Info

The top-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels are locks to beat the 16th-seeded Texas Southern Tigers when the two March Madness championship hopefuls square off in their South region opener on Friday, but will the elite Heels be able to cover the spread as huge double-digit favorites? Let’s find out now and check out the college basketball odds here.

A Closer Look At The Tigers Vs Tar Heels Lines, Expert Pick & TV Info

When: Friday, March 17, 2017 at 4:00 PM ET Where: Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, South Carolina TV: TNT Live Stream: NCAA Live NCAAB Odds: North Carolina -27    

Why Bet The Texas Southern Tigers Odds at +27

Texas Southern has won nine straight games and comes into this contest off a narrow 53-50 win over Alcorn State to win the SWAC conference tournament title on Saturday. The Tigers have faced elite programs this season in Arizona, Louisville, Cincinnati and Baylor, so intimidation won’t be an issue in this matchup. Texas Southern averages a solid 74.4 points per game (150th) on 43.2 percent shooting from the field (248th) and a dismal 29.7 percent from three-point distance (339th).  The Tigers give up 71.8 points per game (171st) on 44.3 percent shooting from the field (201st) and 32.4 percent from three-point distance (52nd). The Tigers have three double-digit scorers on the roster and get a team high 17.0 points per game from guard Zach Lofton.

Why Bet The North Carolina Tar Heels Odds at -27

North Carolina comes into their tourney opener off a crushing 93-83 loss against Duke in the ACC tournament championship game on Friday but have won seven of their last 10 games and are the defending national champion runner-ups. Carolina averages a stellar 84.9 points per game (11th) on 47.1 percent shooting from the field (46th) and 36.6 percent from three-point distance (104th). The Tar Heels allow 70.6 points per game (129th) on 41.6 percent shooting from the field (67th) and 34.3 percent from three-point distance (149th). North Carolina has four double-digit scorers on the roster including ACC Player of the Year Justin Jackson (18.1 ppg)

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction

North Carolina will get the easy win in this contest and I believe the 64 percent of public bettors that like the Heels to win by a whopping 28 points are right on the mark seeing as how Texas Southern lost to Arizona by 22, Louisville by 31 and Cincinnati by 38 points. Texas Southern in 0-4 ATS in their last four games while Carolina has gone 19-6-2 ATS in their last 27 neutral site games as a favorite.

My final score prediction is North Carolina 95 Texas Southern 65