North Carolina vs. UConn Prediction & College Basketball Picks 12/05

NCAA Best Bet Today #1: ⭐ UCONN -5.5 (-110) at FanDuel

The top college basketball of the night takes place in Madison Square Garden when No. 5 UCONN faces No. 9 North Carolina in the Jimmy V Classic. Both teams have signature wins this season, with North Carolina beating No. 10 Tennessee and No. 20 Arkansas, while UCONN has defeated No. 15 Texas. In a showdown between two of the top teams, we like the Huskies to prevail in this one. 

We like UCONN -5.5 (-110) at FanDuel. The Huskies have a balanced roster ranking 14th in points per game (85.8) and 13th in points allowed (61.3) and match up defensively for a North Carolina team that likes to push it in transition or feed center Armando Bacot in the post. UCONN allows just six fast break points per game and ranks 10th in the country at two point field goal percentage (40.5%). 

UCONN has more length and athleticism than UNC and the personnel to limit Bacot inside with Donovan Clingan. The Huskies are also due for positive shooting regression with the number of open looks the team has been able to create. UCONN is making just 32% from 3-point range on the season, but we expect that number to bounce back considering the quality of shooters on the roster. 

We expect UCONN to win and cover this -5.5 spread. 

Betting Pick: UCONN -5.5 (-110) at FanDuel

NCAA Best Bet Today #2: ⭐ Armando Bacot Under 14.5 Points (-110) at BetMGM

The premier matchup between North Carolina and UCONN will come in the frontcourt with UNC's Armando Bacot and UCONN's Donovan Clingan. Both are two of the top post players in the country, but we see an edge in this matchup that is worth betting on. 

We like Armando Bacot Under 14.5 Points (-110) at BetMGM. This will be the first time Bacot goes up against someone the size of the 7-2 Clingan this season. We've also already seen Bacot struggle against Power 5 teams outside of the 22-point performance against Tennessee. 

Bacot was held under 15 points in games against Villanova (8), Arkansas (9) and Florida State (13), making just 11 of 27 shots in those three games. Now, he will face a UCONN defense that is 10th nationally in two point defense and have to face Clingan, who averages two blocks a game and alters numerous other shots at the rim. We're going with the under on Bacot's total points. 

Betting Pick: Armando Bacot Under 14.5 Points (-110) at BetMGM

NCAA Best Bet Today #3: ⭐  Tristen Newton Over 5.5 (-130) Assists FanDuel

Tristen Newton has continued to establish himself as one of the best do-it-all point guards in the country. He recorded a triple-double in a win over Manhattan, finishing with 15 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds and is averaging 17.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game this season. We're going to target one of Newton's props for the matchup against North Carolina. 

We like Tristen Newton Over 5.5 (-130) Assists FanDuel. Newton has recorded at least six assists in five of his last six games this season. The only reason he wasn't six for six is because he was more aggressive hunting his shot in the loss to Kansas, scoring 31 points while making 10 of 18 from the field, including 6 of 9 from 3-point range. 

Considering it took an offensive anomaly to keep him below this prop for the first time in almost a month, we're going to back Newton to get back to his normal assist figures on the season. North Carolina will also look to push the pace, which should allow more transition opportunities for Newton to set up his teammates. 

Betting Pick: Tristen Newton Over 5.5 (-130) Assists FanDuel

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