Pedro Oliveira
In the first NCAA national semifinal we have an unmissable match between the University of North Carolina and its historic arch-rival, Duke University. In the last meeting between the two the Tar Heels snatched happiness from the Blue Devils in what was the last home game in Coach K’s career, and will look for a sure revenge to bring back the honor and place in the national final of March Madness. To highlight, it is also the first time in history that these two squads meet in the history of the competition.
North Carolina swept The Cinderella of the tournament, Saint Peter’s University, thanks to a score of 69-49, while Duke University did the same against the fourth seed of the West region, the University of Arkansas. Who will be the first representative to reach the final of the tournament?
Picks and Predictions for the North Carolina Tar Heels vs Duke Blue Devils Tar Heels NCAA Basketball Championship Final Four Game on April 2nd
- Where: Caesars Superdome – New Orleans, Louisiana
- When: Saturday, April 02, 08:49 PM ET
- Betting Line: North Carolina Tar Heels (+4) vs Duke Blue Devils (-4)
North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Preview
- Overall Record: 28-9
- Conference Record: 15-5
- Spread: +4
- Over/Under: Over 151
- Moneyline: +160
The biggest challenge on the tar Heels’ path has come, and they are coming out on top by a good margin in the most recent meeting between the two (score of 94 to 81 in favor of North Carolina). In that match the performance has been very similar to what they are having in this March Madness: the offense to all give, total dominance of the boards, hoarding rebounds to more than power and putting the pressure on their rivals.
Armando Bacot was very important in that last game against Duke and will continue to be so in this next one: with 20 points, 22 rebounds and two blocks he was by far the best player on the duel that night, nullifying in his entirety the physical and iron style of the Peacocks, which took them as far as possible after going through such powerful universities as Kentucky and Purdue. Brady Manek also made his own by getting 19 points and eight rebounds in excellent effectiveness percentages (7 baskets in 11 attempts).
North Carolina must be very attentive and not trusted, this Duke team is not the same as the one they beat on March 5: it is a machine already oiled and ready to seek revenge, being one of the most dominant teams so far in the entire NCAA finals. To say that it is the most important game of the season for them falls short of the importance it has at the moment.
Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview
- Overall Record: 32-6
- Conference Record: 16-4
- Spread: –4
- Over/Under: Under 151
- Moneyline: -190
All the gears were working for Duke in his win over the Razorbacks:
- Paolo Banchero had 16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
- AJ Griffin led the game with 18 points
- Wendell Moore Jr. contributed 14 more points
- Mark Williams had 12 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks
When you have a squad of this quality playing at its best, there is very little that others can do before you, and maintaining these spirits and this confidence should be the number one priority of the entire Blue Devils coaching staff, especially Mike Krzyzewski. Coach K must give a clinic that ratifies him as one of the best strategists that the sport has had at all levels, even more knowing that his players were humiliated in this last home match: there is no other option to close your legendary career than a victory here.
Although North Carolina is scoring in impressive ratios, Duke surpasses them in almost every area so far this tournament and having faced two of the best defenses in the country at Texas Tech and Arkansas, it is not an easy thing what the Blue Devils have done so far, so we emphasize that they are another version in this March Madness.
The key to this game will be who defends the other best, as both have struggled to have inconsistency in their offense: Duke has been effective 50% or more from the field in 18 games this season, with only six where they scored in less than 44% effectiveness. The Tar Heels have an 0-6 record by allowing 51% or more effectiveness on the contrary, 10-9 when they allow more than 44%. With the Blue Devils maintaining their consistency they will already be causing serious problems for the NC squad.
JefeBet Prediction
It will be a match for history, simply because of the characteristics it brings, regardless of whether or not it is an easy or difficult victory for either team. The odds place Duke as the favorite to win and I agree with them, despite the great tournament that North Carolina is having, Duke’s talent is too much to compete, and the makeover they have made since the beginning of the tournament is impressive.
