Pedro Oliveira
To complete the Elite 8 stage in the NCAA, we have a match that is going to be incredibly even, between the University of Saint Peter’s against the University of North Carolina. The Cinderella story continues for the Peacocks, who added Purdue University to their list of big victims along with Kentucky and Murray State, and thanks to a score of 67-64, became the first 15th seed in history to reach this stage of the championship.
On the other hand, the Tar Heels hit the ground running, stealing the UCLA Bruins’ lead in the final stage of the game, which ended at 73-66. Who will advance to the Final Four of March Madness?
Picks and Predictions for the Saint Peter’s Peacocks vs North Carolina Tar Heels NCAA Basketball Championship Elite Eight Game on March 27
- Where: Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- When: Sunday, March 27, 5:05 PM ET
- Betting Line: Saint Peter’s Peacocks (+8) vs North Carolina Tar Heels (-8)
Saint Peter’s Peacocks Betting Preview
- Overall Record: 22-11
- Conference Record: 14-6
- Spread: +8
- Over/Under: Over 137
- Moneyline:
Once again when all the odds were against them by a good margin, the Peacocks achieved the feat and are now in the first Elite 8 in their history, and it all has its merits, to say that it was luck would be an insult to the excellent performance of the program in this March Madness. Although they have deficiencies especially in the height of the squad, the intensity and the physique of the St. Peter’s has been on another level, dictating the pace of every match he’s been in and not the other way around.
Daryl Banks III faced the shaheen Holloway-led squad offensively, with 14 points and 3 assists in 28 minutes, while Doug Edert made a major impact by traveling the free line eight times and converting seven of them. At this point any offense that can take out St. Peter’s is profit, because we know it’s their defense that keeps them alive at the end of the day.
Against North Carolina the plan remains unchanged: play as if there were no tomorrow, because there probably is not, and the attitude of this team will give enough fuel to find a way again to keep the pace of the game. If they succeed, be very careful with the Peacocks in the Final Four.
North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Preview
- Overall Record: 27-9
- Conference Record: 15-5
- Spread: –8
- Over/Under: Under 137
- Moneyline:
Caleb Love had the game of his life against UCLA, scoring 27 of his 30 total points during the second half of the game, in the company of 3 rebounds and 4 assists. Three more North Carolina starters had more than 10 points, so so far we can appreciate that the offense hasn’t gone out in the slightest, and it’s in the best interest of their chances to advance that it stays that way.
The Tar Heels won their conference in a surprise but not undeserved way, they have been one of the favorite wild cards to surprise in the tournament. However, this is going to be the most complicated defense they are going to face today, and already the motivation of the Peacocks is at a worrying level for any opponent who is put in front of him.
Nullifying the defensive presences of KC Ndefo and Clarence Rupert is the team’s number one task, any way to detract from st. Ndefo’s defense’s concentration. Peter’s is the way to go, and never let go of the lead on the scoreboard no matter how small. Every point against this squad counts to get the victory, at any time.
JefeBet Prediction
Directly I would not bet on this match, it is the closest of all that we will have in the Elite 8 and already Saint Peter’s has finished with all the possible brackets, and all the forecasts against him so far. At some point his streak will culminate, but it could be winning the national championship or at least escaping the Final Four. Either scenario is a win for the show.
By history the Tar Heels have the advantage, but in the face of such a suffocating defense that has not forgiven anyone, will they be able to move on? It is a question to which I have no answer.
