Davidson at North Carolina Odds, Expert Pick & TV Info

Posted by Michael Hunt on Tuesday,December 6, 2016 8:02, EDT in

Do not rule out Davidson going to big brother and No. 7 North Carolina in non-conference action on Wednesday night and upsetting the powerful Tar Heels as Davidson is a very good mid-major program with one of the nation’s top scorers in Jack Gibbs. But certainly UNC is a solid betting favorite on college basketball odds.

Davidson at North Carolina Odds, Expert Pick & TV Info

When: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 9 PM ET
Where: Dean E. Smith Center, Chapel Hill
TV: ESPN2
Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Davidson / North Carolina
Opening NCAA Basketball Lines: TBA

Why Bet On Davidson?

The Wildcats (5-2) come off a 76-61 loss to the College of Charleston. The C of C used a 25-4 run to erase an 11-point deficit and rally for the win. In addition to the Cougars’ game-changing spurt, the Wildcats shot just 20 percent (5-for- 20) in the second half, which included a stretch of almost seven minutes without a field goal.

After Davidson built a 47-36 lead with 15:17 to play, C of C responded with 13 straight points to take its first lead since it was 17-14, midway through the first half. Despite the setback, Gibbs and Peyton Aldridge each went over the 20-point plateau for the Wildcats, scoring 23 and 21, respectively.

Davidson, which got 15 points from Gibbs and Aldridge in the opening half, used a 17-5 run to grab a 36- 24 lead before going to the break up, 39-30. Will Magarity pulled down 10 rebounds for the Wildcats, who held a 43-34 advantage on the glass.

Gibbs leads the Atlantic 10 in scoring, averaging 23.3 points per outing. Fellow preseason all-conference selection Aldridge is second on the club at 19.7 points per game, while leading the way in rebounding (7.2). Gibbs (23.3) & Aldridge (19.7) are averaging 43 pts combined, making them the nation’s top scoring duo with St. Bonnie’s Adams and Mobley.

Gibbs is one of 20 candidates for the 2017 Bob Cousy Award, which is given annually to the top point guard in Division I men’s college basketball. Gibbs is the first Davidson Wildcat named to the list since Jason Richards (2008) and Stephen Curry (2009) were recognized in consecutive years. Gibbs has been named Conference Player of the Week nine times, which is the second most in school history behind Curry.

Why Bet On North Carolina?

The Heels (8-1) crushed Radford 95-50 last time out. Sophomore Kenny Williams III had 14 of his career- high 19 points in the opening five minutes, helping the Tar Heels build a huge early lead and cruise. Williams made his first five shots, including all four 3-point tries, during that opening flurry. Quite a change for a player who was buried on the bench for a veteran team last year, making just 1 of 13 3-pointers and seeing his confidence suffer as a result. Kennedy Meeks had 13 points and nine rebounds.

It was the eighth straight game Meeks has scored in double figures (longest streak in his career). The Tar Heels shot 52.3 percent from the floor, the fourth time in nine games this year the Tar Heels have shot 50 percent. The Heels tied their season high with nine three-point field goals (also in the season opener at Tulane). UNC had a 52-29 advantage on the boards. That’s the fourth game this year with at least 50 rebounds. The 52 rebounds ties UNC’s season high with the games against Tulane and Chaminade.

UNC got a scare when they lost point guard Joel Berry II to a sprained left ankle early in the second half. The junior, averaging 16 points, came up hobbled as he drove into the paint and fell to the floor. He got up and walked slowly to the locker room for evaluation with 17:36 left, but didn’t return to the UNC bench with the Tar Heels up big.

Coach UNC’s Roy Williams said he’s not real positive on Berry (sprained left ankle) playing against Davidson. He will know more Tuesday. Meanwhile, he said Theo Pinson (fracture in right foot) is at six- week mark of his recovery and expects another 2-4 weeks for his rehab.

If Berry sits out, senior Nate Britt — who has played both guard positions in his career — would appear to be the next man up at the point. Freshman Seventh Woods also will figure into the mix. In Pinson’s absence, Williams, a sophomore, and Nate Britt, a senior, have rotated in and out of the starting lineup. Williams has started five games, Britt four, and Williams suggested on Sunday that the rotation would continue.

Davidson at North Carolina Expert Pick:

Last year, Davidson lost to North Carolina 98-65. Britt had 17 points. The Heels scored the first 10 points and led by 25 before the break. They shot 51 percent for the game and led by at least 20 points throughout the second half. This game will be closer.