North Carolina vs Ole Miss Lines: Hot Tar Heels Favored by 1.5 After First Four Win
The North Carolina Tar Heels (23-13, 16-19-1 ATS) have opened as 1.5-point favorites against #6 Ole Miss (22-11, 16-16-1 ATS) in their NCAA Tournament first-round matchup, scheduled for Thursday at 4:05 pm ET in Milwaukee.
Basketball players compete for possession
North Carolina demonstrated their worth in the First Four, dominating San Diego State 95-68. RJ Davis led with 26 points, while Elliott Cadeau contributed 9 points and 12 assists. The Tar Heels are riding momentum, having won nine of their last 11 games, with their only losses coming against top-ranked Duke.
Key Odds:
- North Carolina: -1.5 points, -130 moneyline
- Ole Miss: +1.5 points, +130 moneyline
- Total: 152.5 points
Duke player shooting basketball
Ole Miss started strong at 15-2 but has struggled recently, losing four of their last six regular-season games. They finished 10-8 in SEC play before falling to Auburn in the conference tournament.
Auburn vs Ole Miss basketball
Betting Outlook: The line is expected to move in UNC's favor due to their brand recognition and recent performance. Bettors interested in North Carolina should act early, while Ole Miss backers might find better value closer to tip-off.
KenPom Rankings:
- North Carolina: 30th overall
- Ole Miss: 26th overall
Early betting trends and team momentum suggest the Tar Heels have a slight edge, but Ole Miss's higher KenPom ranking indicates this could be a closely contested matchup.