Dean Etheridge
Indiana hosts the former number one ranked college basketball team, UNC on Wednesday, and here we look at their prospects in our latest NCAAB betting picks.
Indiana have won six from six, and so far, are having an inspired season. As for UNC, they’ve lost their last two, and are having a difficult start to their 2022/23 campaign.
The updated rankings have just been released, and Indiana has moved up one position from 11th to 10th. But what about the Tar Heels? Well, they’ve just spectacularly dropped from first position, down to 18th. A drop of 17 places. This on the back of the two defeats, the second of which came against Alabama on Sunday.
𝑹𝑶𝑳𝑳 𝑻𝑰𝑫𝑬 – BAMA IN 4OT! pic.twitter.com/q9FdPrqqKb
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) November 27, 2022
On this occasion, overtime was needed to defeat the Tar Heels, with the match finishing all square at 77-77 at the end of regulation time. After four periods of overtime, the Crimson Tide eventually took the match 103-101, in what was an epic contest.
So where does this leave us in regards to betting to win the 2023 NCAA College Basketball Championship?
Betting to win the 2023 NCAAB Championship
The best college basketball betting sites make the Houston Cougars favorites to win the championship in 2023. The Cougars are +800 to win what would be their first ever championship title. After the Cougars comes Texas at +1200, with Baylor and Kentucky both at +1400.
| NCAAB Tournament Winner Betting 2023 |  |  |  |
| Houston Cougars | +800 | +800 | +800 |
| Texas | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Baylor | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Kentucky Wildcats | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Gonzaga | +1500 | +1500 | +1500 |
| Arizona | +1500 | +1500 | +1500 |
| UNC | +1600 | +1600 | +1500 |
| Creighton | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Duke | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| UCLA | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Purdue | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Indiana | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
As for the Tar Heels, they are still in the mix, but are down to +1600 to win the championship. They were +1800 on Monday, so some money must have come in for them in the past 24 hours. It is still some drift, considering they started the season as one of the betting favorites.
Indiana are down at +2500 to win the championship. The Hoosiers were never one of the original favorites, and now find themselves in the chasing pack after a strong start to the season.
6-0. pic.twitter.com/NRvwQyBi8i
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) November 25, 2022
Indiana vs UNC
In the new rankings, Indiana are now ranked 10, and the Tar Heels 18. A couple of days ago, the hosts were 11, and visitors were ranked number one. There has been some turnaround.
In their last outing, Indiana defeated Jackson State, which was their sixth win in total this season. The win leaves them five from five at home. Their other home wins this campaign have also been pretty convincing.
At the Assembly Hall, Mike Woodson’s team have so far this year won 88-53 against Morehead St, 101-49 (vs B-CU), 86-56 (Miami OH), 87-68 (Little Rock), and most recently, the 90-51 win over Jackson State.
It’s worth noting that none of the above teams are ranked in the top 25.
- What; NCAA Basketball
- Who; Indiana Hoosiers vs University of North Carolina Tar Heels
- Where; Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Bloomington, Indiana
- When; Wednesday, November 30th, 2022
- Time; 9.15 pm ET
As for the Tar Heels, they are now overall 5-2 this campaign. This is a pretty disappointing return for the side widely tipped to go all the way this season. And it seems to be the form on the road that’s causing Hubert Davis’ team the most problems.
At home, the Tar Heels are 4-0. Away, they are 1-2. The road win came away at Portland, with Pete Nance scoring 28 points in an 89-81 win. Since then, they’ve lost back-to-back matches over the Thanksgiving weekend. First they went down 70-65 to Iowa State, and then they lost the above-mentioned match 103-101 to Alabama.
So, can the Tar Heels turn their form around against the unbeaten Indiana? Let’s take a look at the latest betting.
Indiana vs Tar Heels betting and picks
The best college basketball betting sites are coming down in favor of the hosts to win this one. On the moneyline, Bovada makes Indiana -245 to win, with North Carolina at +205.
On the handicap line, North Carolina is getting the points advantage. The Tar Heels are -110 with a +5.5 points head start. Indiana is -110 from -5.5 points. Finally, the total points spread is set at 146.5 with BetOnline, over 146.5 is -107, and under 146.5 is -113.
For my picks, I’m going to give the Tar Heels a chance to redeem themselves. I’m not backing them to win this on the moneyline, but with a +5.5 points start, they do look appealing on the handicap spread.
Their recent two defeats were by 2 points and 5 points. Yes, they were losses, but the Tar Heels haven’t become an awful side overnight, they’re just going through a bit of a rough spell, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them win this.
For my first NCAA college basketball betting pick, I’m going for the Tar Heels to win on the handicap spread at -110.
Next up, the total points market. My first thought was that it was a touch high, but then when you look at Indiana’s match scorelines, you can see why. Three of Indiana’s last five matches are over 146 points, and the other two weren’t far off. The Tar Heels’ matches are less so.
The Tar Heels are still scoring around 70 to 90 points a match though, so with Indiana likely to do the same, over 146.5 has to be the bet.
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