Duke look to take advantage of slumping Carolina

Sportsbook odds (US sportsbook review) didn’t see this coming: North Carolina, the defending national champions, are in serious danger of not making the NCAA Tournament with six losses in their last seven games. If the panic button hasn’t been pushed, it could be on Wednesday night, when the Tar Heels host Duke in another edition of college basketball’s most heated rivalry.

Duke vs North Carolina odds – Wednesday, February 10, 9:00 PM ET

The No.7 Blue Devils (19-4, 7-2) escaped Boston College with a 66-63 win on Saturday, and the guard duo of Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith had 21 points apiece. The Blue Devils shot 47.9% from the field, but they uncharacteristically had a rough night at the foul line, making 15 of their 26 attempts. Kyle Singler had 12 points and three blocks, but he was only 3-of-6 at the charity stripe.

The Tar Heels (13-10, 2-6) were routed 92-71 at Maryland, and they were miserable from the field, shooting 37.7%. Marcus Ginyard led the way with 17 points while Deon Thompson dropped 16 points, but like most of this year, the North Carolina defense couldn’t stop anyone as Maryland shot 51.5%, including 12 of-23 from beyond the arc. Coach Roy Williams asked before this game if it could really get any worse for the Tar Heels. It can, and it might if they can’t summon up enough to beat Duke.

The Tar Heels may be the sports betting favorites at the “Dean Dome”, where they are 11-4, but they’ve dropped their last three at home. The Blue Devils have won three of their last seven at North Carolina, and they’re 2-4 away from home this season. The North Carolina defense has to get out on Duke’s perimeter shooters if they want to keep this game from being a rout. Scheyer and Smith will have free rein, and Singler can also shoot from distance, which will draw either Thompson or Ed Davis away from the rim. Another department where the Tar Heels have struggled in turnovers, and it’s been magnified as Larry Drew II hasn’t been able to take care of the ball the way that Ty Lawson did before he jumped to the NBA. The Tar Heels had 14 turnovers against Maryland, and they’re not good enough to overcome that many mistakes. However, if you’re going to bet on North Carolina, this will be the game to do it. The “Dean Dome” will be hopping on Wednesday night, and the Blue Devils were thumped at Georgetown in another hostile environment a couple of weeks ago. This could be even wilder. If North Carolina is going to start a run, it has to start here.

Bet on college basketball: North Carolina