NCAAB: #7 Duke vs #3 North Carolina Odds, and Picks (Feb 3)
- Duke continued their winning ways with a 77-67 victory over Virginia Tech.
- North Carolina came up short at Georgia Tech, losing by a score of 74-73.
- These two teams last met on March 4, 2023, in a game that Duke won 62-57.
The college basketball season is heating up! Let’s preview the upcoming Duke vs North Carolina matchup. These two teams are competing for the top spot in the ACC, as well as a potential 1-seed in the tourney.
How to Watch
- Where: Dean E. Smith Center, Chapel Hill, NC
- When: Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 6:30 p.m ET
- Channel: ESPN
Preview
Duke improved to 11-1 over their last 12 games, climbing to 2nd place in the ACC. They’ll have a shot at the conference’s top team in North Carolina in this game. C Kyle Flipowski continues to improve in his second year. His FG% is up from 44% to 50%, while his 3-pt% jumped from 28% to 37%. He’s also averaging 3 assists and 2 blocks per game this season. If Flipowski continues to be efficient, Duke will be a tough out.
North Carolina had their 10-game winning streak snapped in a tough loss to Georgia Tech on Wednesday. It was their first loss in ACC play of the season, further proving just how difficult road games are in college basketball. The Tar Heels may have also fallen victim to a trap game, with this matchup against Duke on the horizon. They’ll aim to right the ship by returning home and earning a huge win over the Blue Devils.
Prediction
After some uncharacteristically poor seasons from two of college basketball’s premier teams, they’ll once again by facing off as two top-10 teams this year. The Tar Heels have a slight advantage this time around, with the game being played on their home court. They’ll rematch the Blue Devils on the road in their regular season finale. I wouldn’t be surprised if the home team wins each matchup. I like UNC to win here.
NCAAB Picks:
- North Carolina 85, Duke 81 ()
