- The North Carolina Tar Heels and Pitt Panthers meet in the semifinal of the 2024 ACC Tournament on Friday
- UNC dominated Pitt on the road in their lone regular-season meeting
- Get the North Carolina vs Pitt picks, predictions, and player props on March 15
Two wins away from adding an ACC Tournament title to their ACC regular-season title, the North Carolina Tar Heels (26-6, 17-3 ACC, 3-3 neutral, 19-13 ATS) face the Pittsburgh Panthers (22-10, 12-8 ACC, 2-1 neutral, 20-9-3 ATS) on Friday night at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. The first of two ACC semifinals on Friday night, UNC vs Pitt tips off at 7:00 pm ET and will be immediately followed by NC State vs Virginia at 9:30 pm ET.
The Tar Heels, who demolished the Panthers on the road in the regular season, are listed as 7.5-point favorites in the UNC vs Pitt odds on Friday night.
North Carolina vs Pittsburgh Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Tar Heels | -7.5 (-100) | -290 | Over 147.5 (-110) |
| Pitt Panthers | +7.5 (-120) | +240 | Under 147.5 (-110) |
North Carolina is also a -290 moneyline favorite with Pitt coming back as a +240 underdog. The over/under is currently 147.5. Pitt was one of the best over teams in the country this year at 18-12-2, while UNC was a game to the under (15-16-1).
Odds as of March 15 at ESPN Bet. New bettors in NC can claim the ESPN Bet North Carolina promo to wager on the UNC vs Pittsburgh.
North Carolina was on the #3 line in the projected March Madness bracket before the ACC Tournament started. If they’re able to win the ACC Tournament, they would have an excellent chance of grabbing the fourth #1 seed (in addition to Houston, Purdue, and UConn).
Pitt, which joined the ACC in 2013, is still searching for, not just its first ACC Tournament championship, but also its first berth in the ACC title game. With 18 ACC Tournament championships, UNC trails only Duke (22). The Tar Heels’ last title came in 2016.
UNC vs PITT Stats
| UNC | Stat | Pitt |
|---|---|---|
| 7th | Overall Efficiency | 40th |
| 22nd | Offensive Efficiency | 31st |
| 5th | Defensive Efficiency | 90th |
| 36.0 (65th) | 3P% | 35.8 (73rd) |
| 50.3 (174th) | 2P% | 50.3 (177th) |
| 36.0 (127th) | Eff. FG % | 35.8 (118th) |
| 14.5 (37th) | Turnover % | 13.6 (9th) |
| 33.1 (58th) | Off. Reb % | 31.4 (96th) |
| 76.1 (14th) | Def. Reb. % | 76.5 (9th) |
North Carolina comes into the semis off a 92-67 demolition of Florida State. Four players scored in double-figures, led by senior guard RJ Davis (18 points, three assists). Both Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram finished with ten rebounds and combined for 11 on the offensive end.
UNC won the only regular-season meeting against the Panthers (70-57) in Pittsburgh. After Pitt started the game on a 14-7 run, UNC went on a 12-2 run of its own to take a lead it wouldn’t surrender. Bacot had a team-high 16 points and 10 rebounds for UNC in the win, and the Heels dominated the glass (51 to 41).
Pitt Races Past Wake Forest
Pitt, which eked out a top-four seed (and a double-bye) by a single game over #5 Wake Forest, used the extra rest to their advantage in last night’s quarterfinal matchup with the Demon Deacons, who had taken down Notre Dame on Wednesday. An early 13-2 run propelled Pitt to a 12-point halftime advantage, and another 12-1 run early in the second gave the Panthers an insurmountable 19-point lead.
Ishmael Leggett, who averages just 12.5 PPG, dropped 30 off the bench on 11-of-18 shooting from the field.
Leading scorer Blake Hinson (18.9 PPG) added 20 points, two assists, two blocks, and two steals. But the 6.8 senior forward had an off night the first time Pitt and UNC met this season, scoring just 11 points on 4-of-16 shooting with four rebounds, one turnover, and no assists, blocks, or steals.
UNC vs PITT Player Props
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three-Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armando Bacot (UNC) | 12.5 (Ov -130 | Un -110) | 8.5 (Ov -135 | Un -105) | OFF | OFF |
| Blake Hinson (PITT) | 16.5 (Ov -130 | Un -110) | 3.5 (Ov -150 | Un +110) | OFF | 2.5 (Ov -100 | Un -140) |
| Carlton Carrington (PITT) | 13.5 (Ov -115 | Un -125) | 4.5 (Ov -130 | Un -110) | 3.5 (Ov -115 | Un -125) | 1.5 (Ov -160 | Un +120) |
| Cormac Ryan (UNC) | 12.5 (Ov -115 | Un -125) | 2.5 (Ov -170 | Un +130) | OFF | 2.5 (Ov +145 | Un -190) |
| Harrison Ingram (UNC) | 11.5 (Ov -130 | Un -110) | 9.5 (Ov -135 | Un -105) | 2.5 (Ov +125 | Un -165) | 1.5 (Ov +135 | Un -175) |
| Jaland Lowe (PITT) | 11.5 (Ov -140 | Un -100) | 3.5 (Ov -125 | Un -115) | 4.5 (Ov +130 | Un -170) | 0.5 (Ov -245 | Un +180) |
| RJ Davis (UNC) | 20.5 (Ov -125 | Un -115) | 4.5 (Ov +115 | Un -155) | 2.5 (Ov -160 | Un +120) | 2.5 (Ov -130 | Un -110) |
College basketball player props as of March 15 at DraftKings.
Davis, who averages 21 PPG on the nose, has game-high point total of 20.5 over/under. Hinson leads the Panthers players at 16.5.
Ingram has the highest rebound total at 9.5 followed closely by teammate Bacot at 8.5.
North Carolina vs Pittsburgh Prediction
The Tar Heels were positively dominant against the Seminoles last night. While Pitt represents a step up in competition, it’s not a huge leap. UNC is one of the few teams in the country that came overwhelm Pitt with its size and dominate the Panthers on the boards.
I expect a similar outcome to the first game. Pitt might hang around for a half2, but UNC’s fast tempo and relentless defense will eventually distance the Panthers.
UNC vs PITT picks:
- UNC -7.5 (-110)
- Bacot over 8.5 rebounds (-135)
- Hinson under 16.5 points (-110)
Sascha Paruk’s 2023-24 NCAAM betting record:
- ATS: 20-21 (-2.84 units)
- Moneyline: 3-11 (-10.68 units)
- Over/Under: 0-1 (-1.00 units)
- Player props: 9-3 (+5.50 units)
The North Carolina Tar Heels will face off against the Pittsburgh Panthers on March 15 in what is sure to be an exciting college basketball matchup. Both teams have had their fair share of ups and downs this season, making this game a must-watch for fans of the sport.
When it comes to picking a winner for this game, it’s important to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each team. The Tar Heels have a strong offense led by standout players like Armando Bacot and Caleb Love, who have been consistently putting up big numbers all season. On the other hand, the Panthers have a solid defense that has been able to shut down some of the best offenses in the ACC.
In terms of predictions, many experts are leaning towards North Carolina as the favorite in this matchup. The Tar Heels have been playing some of their best basketball as of late, while the Panthers have struggled to find consistency throughout the season. However, anything can happen in college basketball, so it’s important to keep an open mind when making your predictions.
As for the odds, North Carolina is currently favored to win this game by a slim margin. The Tar Heels are sitting at -2.5 on most sportsbooks, indicating that they are expected to come out on top in a close contest. If you’re looking to place a bet on this game, it may be worth considering taking North Carolina to cover the spread.
In terms of props, there are plenty of options to choose from for this matchup. You can bet on things like total points scored, individual player performances, and even the outcome of specific plays. No matter what you decide to bet on, just make sure to do your research and consider all factors before making your final decision.
Overall, the North Carolina vs Pitt game on March 15 is shaping up to be a thrilling showdown between two talented teams. Whether you’re a fan of either team or just a casual observer of college basketball, this game is sure to provide plenty of excitement and entertainment. Be sure to tune in and see how it all unfolds.
