Michigan vs North Carolina Prediction, Odds & Picks for Dec. 21 (Offenses Start Hot at the Spectrum Center)

Michigan vs North Carolina Game Info

2022-23 NCAA College Basketball Regular Season Game
Michigan Wolverines (7-3) vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (8-4)
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Spectrum Center — Charlotte, NC
Coverage: ESPN

The 2022-23 college basketball season continues on Wednesday with an exciting matchup between the Michigan Wolverines and North Carolina Tar Heels. Michigan took care of business in an 83-75 win over Lipscomb on Saturday. Sophomore Kobe Bufkin tallied a solid 22 points (8-of-9 shooting).

Meanwhile, North Carolina took down Ohio State, 89-84, in a thrilling overtime game on Saturday. Pete Nance drained a mid-range jump shot as the clock expired to tie the game in regulation. Senior Armando Bacot stole the show, though, with an efficient double-double (28 points & 15 rebounds).

Michigan vs North Carolina Odds & Spread

All NCAA college basketball betting lines, odds and prop bets.
Moneyline: MICH: (+172) | UNC: (-210)
Spread: MICH: +5.5 (-115) | UNC: -5.5 (-105)
Total: 154.5 —Over: (-105) | Under: (-115)

North Carolina enters this contest as clear favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 7 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 154.5 points, which is above average compared to Wednesday's projected totals.

College Basketball Picks Michigan vs UNC

These teams have followed a similar path to start the 2022 college basketball season. Both Michigan and North Carolina started the year ranked in the AP top 25 before a few early losses caused a major drop. A win here would be massive for building momentum and I give a slight edge to the Tar Heels.

This game is being played in Charlotte, which means the crowd support will be in favor of UNC. Not only that, but the Tar Heels are one of the only teams in the country that have the size (Bacot) to truly match up with Michigan's best player in Hunter Dickinson. It's going to be a tough battle in the paint.

This one may go down to the wire and North Carolina's 75.0% free throw percentage greatly outshines Michigan's mark of 66.3%. I'll back the Tar Heels.

Final Score Prediction: Michigan: 75 | North Carolina: 82

Michigan vs North Carolina Betting Trends

- Michigan is 13-4 straught up in its last 17 games in December.
- The total has hit the over in 12 of Michigan's last 18 games.
- North Carolina is 4-8 against the spread (ATS) in its last 12 games.
- The total has hit the over in four of North Carolina's last six games.

Michigan vs North Carolina Picks

There's no denying that these two teams tend to come out of the gate firing in 2022. Both Michigan (39.5) and North Carolina (36.0) rank among the top 75 teams in first half points per game. Each side thrives at establishing dominance in the paint and sinking early jump shot to develop a quick rhythm.

Keep in mind both the Wolverines (35.2) and Tar Heels (33.4) also rank outside the top 200 teams in first half points allowed per game. Over 72 first half points have been scored in each of Michigan's last four games as well as in each of North Carolina's last two games. Expect more of the same here.

Bet: First Half Total Over 72.5 Points (-112)

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.