College Basketball’s Acc/Sec Challenge was fueled in part by the showdown between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday night at Rupp Arena in Kentucky. It’s a blue blood battle between two teams ranked in the top 25
Let’s get into the North Carolina vs Kentucky Predictions.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs Kentucky Wildcats
Money Line: North Carolina +265 / Kentucky -345
Spread: North Carolina +7.5 (-110) / Kentucky -7.5 (-110)
Total: Over 161.5 (-110) / Under 161.5 (-110)
North Carolina Tar Heels vs Kentucky Wildcats Plow: North Carolina +7.5 (-110)
There aren’t many data points that will be able to draw the early stages of the 2025-26 Campaign, but there are definitely a couple to watch out for – including one opponent. North Carolina has faced two of 4 opponents. The Tar Heels knocked off Kansas 87-74 in Chapel Hill on Nov. 7 before losing a neutral game against Michigan State 74-58 on Thanksgiving. The Wildcats are also coming off 4 of 4 opponents, including Michigan State. UK fell to the Spartans 83-66 on a neutral site on November 18 and also pulled off a 96-88 comeback loss at Louisville on November 11.
In other words, bad things have happened whenever ‘cats have been tested. Head Coach Mark Pope’s squad has plenty of talent, but its defense has failed to show up against top teams – allowing a combined 179 points to Michigan State and Louisville. What’s more shocking is that the Wildcats outscored MSU 42 to 28. UNCE also came out with 14. That’s something you can see again and again this whole time. The tar heels should be much better for the defense of the awakened Wildcat. Count the visitors who keep this acc / sec MatchUp close – if not until they finish it.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs Kentucky Wildcats Plow: Under 61.5 (-110)
This play pairs well with North Carolina against the spread, as underdogs have a better chance of staying within the required margin if the game recovers well. And it should be. Neither of these teams have been playing very fast this season. Chagren Row No. The UK is not. 122 in that department with 73.9 possessions per contest.
No one in Kentucky’s program is scoring over 14.0 PPG (DENzel Aberdeen). The team’s assist ratio is worse than 2-to-1 (20.6 assists, 10.6 assists per outing). Wilson (19.9 PPG) can fill Carolina, but like the rest of the team does not shoot well from the perimeter. Head Coach Hubert Davis Club enters with a three-point shooting percentage. Both teams are athletic enough to defend the paint effectively and force outside shots, which will likely lead to more turnovers on Tuesday.
