North Carolina vs Oklahoma Basketball Prediction & Picks: Will the Heels Hand the Streaking Sooners Their First Loss?

In facing Villanova, Arkansas, Tennessee, UConn, and Kentucky in the last few weeks, North Carolina has gone up against a number of the better college basketball teams in the country.

But before they can look ahead to wrapping up non-conference play, the Tar Heels have one more tough test to tackle tonight as they take on undefeated Oklahoma in the Jumpman Invitational (9:00 pm ET, ESPN).

The #11 Tar Heels (7-3) have a three-game ACC road swing to look forward to when the calendar turns to 2024, but before that, they have tonight’s matchup with the seventh-ranked Sooners (10-0) and a (likely) much less taxing tilt against Charleston Southern in nine days.

Picks in this piece are courtesy of BetOnline. At BetOnline, you can get great odds on all of the top college basketball matchups every day.

UNC enters tonight’s showdown at the Spectrum Center off of back-to-back losses to UConn and Kentucky, the latter of which was a real missed opportunity. They already have wins over Arkansas and Tennessee, but a win over another SEC contender would have been a fantastic addition to their March Madness resume.

Oklahoma will join the Razorbacks, Volunteers, and Wildcats in the SEC next season, but they are looking to head into their final Big 12 campaign with a perfect record.

After they face the Tar Heels, the Sooners will close out non-conference action with games against Central Arkansas and Monmouth, so a win tonight would have them well-positioned to enter the new year at 13-0.

North Carolina vs Oklahoma Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline. If you’re interested in trying them out, we recommend checking out our BetOnline review.

Spread

• North Carolina -3 (-110)
• Oklahoma +3 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 155.5 (-115)
• Under 155.5 (-105)

Last Five Games for North Carolina

• (Atlanta, GA – CBS Sports Classic) vs Kentucky (12/16): lost 87-83
• (New York, NY – Jimmy V Classic) vs UConn (12/5): lost 87-76
• vs Florida State (12/2): won 78-70
• vs Tennessee (11/29): won 100-92
• (Nassau, Bahamas – Battle 4 Atlantis) vs Arkansas (11/24): won 87-72

Last Five Games for Oklahoma

• vs Wisconsin-Green Bay (12/16): won 81-47
• (Tulsa, OK) vs Arkansas (12/9): won 79-70
• vs Providence (12/5): won 72-51
• vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff (11/30): won 107-86
• (San Diego, CA – Rady Children’s Invitational) vs USC (11/24): won 72-70

Top Players for North Carolina

• RJ Davis: 21.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.8 APG
• Armando Bacot: 15.2 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 1.8 BPG
• Harrison Ingram: 14.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.5 SPG, 43.2% 3PT
• Cormac Ryan: 11.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.6 APG

Top Players for Oklahoma

• Otega Oweh: 14.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.4 SPG, 66.7% FG
• Javian McCollum: 14.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.7 APG
• John Hugley IV: 10.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG
• Milos Uzan: 8.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.7 SPG

North Carolina vs Oklahoma Prediction and Picks

Prediction: North Carolina to win

Oklahoma’s rise into the top ten is one of the biggest surprises of the first month-plus of the college basketball season, but can they keep things going?

While the Sooners have four wins over teams in the top 60 at KenPom (Iowa, USC, Providence, and Arkansas), this would be the best win of them all.

I’m certainly not underestimating the Sooners in the slightest in picking against them, because there is a lot to like about this team. They have eight players averaging 7.7 or more points per game, are shooting 51.0% from the field, and rank ninth in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency.

But all good things must come to an end, and I think their run ends tonight.

The Sooners are playing at a higher tempo offensively than you typically see from a Porter Moser team, and it’s working quite well. But they would still rather keep the Tar Heels in the 70s, at best.

North Carolina may have fallen to UConn and Kentucky, but just like they were able to get Tennessee out of playing the style they prefer to play, I think they can do the same with Oklahoma. Look for another big night for RJ Davis, who has averaged 27.4 PPG over his last five games while shooting 47.1% overall from the field, 40.5% from three, and 97.4% from the free throw line.

Pick: North Carolina -3 (-110 at BetOnline – Bet These Odds & Get a 100% Bonus on Your First Cryptocurrency Deposit)

Where to Bet on College Basketball

If you are looking for college basketball odds, you will always be spoiled for choice.

Sports betting sites all over the internet offer a vast array of NCAA basketball odds throughout the season, from the opening tip in November to the conclusion of the season in early April.

Along with being able to bet on games like Nevada vs Hawaii, many online sportsbooks offer men’s college basketball national championship odds, women’s college basketball national championship odds, men’s Wooden Award odds, women’s Wooden Award odds, and odds on who will win early season and conference tournaments.

Below are some of the books that we highly recommend for college basketball betting:

• BetDSI
• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bookmaker
• Bovada
• MyBookie
• Sportsbetting.ag

If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.

Other College Basketball Content

• Baylor vs Duke Basketball Prediction, Odds & Picks
• College Basketball Betting Guide
• Men’s Wooden Award Winner Odds
• Women’s Wooden Award Winner Odds