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Furman vs UNC Odds, Lines and Spread (Dec. 14)

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in College Basketball

Updated Dec 14, 2021 · 3:22 AM PST

North Carolina guard Caleb Love dribbles up the court
North Carolina guard Caleb Love (2) dribbles against Elon during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
  • The UNC Tar Heels are 11.5-point home favorites over the Furman Paladins in an NCAA men’s basketball game slated for Tuesday, December 14
  • UNC is 23-2 straight up against the Paladins
  • Furman is 0-7 SU at North Carolina

The North Carolina Tar Heels will be looking to extend their winning streak to four games as they play host to the Furman Paladins. But although UNC holds a 23-2 edge in the all-time series, it would be wrong to think this game will be a walk in the park.

Furman is 7-3 this season, including a victory over Louisville. Still, oddsmakers are expecting the Tar Heels to deliver the goods. UNC is listed as 11.5-point favorites. But 7-2 North Carolina is a dismal 1-5 against the spread at home so far this season.

Furman vs UNC Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Furman Paladins +500 +11.5 (-110) O 152.5 (-110)
UNC Tar Heels -720 -11.5 (-110) U 152.5 (-110)

Odds as of December 13th at FanDuel.

Tipoff for Tuesday’s game at the Dean E. Smith Center is 7:00 pm ET. ESPN2 will be televising the game.

Furman Paladins Betting Trends

KenPom rates the Paladins 58th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency. They’re fond of putting up the long ball. Furman is attemping on average 29.7 3-point field goals per game. That rates #10 in the NCAA. The Paladins are hitting 11.7 threes per game, fifth overall in the country. Scoring threes at a 39.39% success rate, Furman is 16th in the nation.

The Paladins posted a 73-65 win over Appalachian State in their previous game. According to KenPom, Furman is #59 in adjusted offensive efficiency (107.8).  The Paladins are averaging 83.7 points per game and have three players scoring in double figures.

Fifth-year guard Alex Hunter (17.6 points per game) is setting the pace. Senior forward Jalen Slawson (16.8), and senior guard Mike Bothwell (16.4) are also contributing significantly to the offense. Slawson is the Paladin’s top rebounder with 8.6 boards per game. Hunter (.446) is Furman’s top 3-point shooter, and has also dished out a team-high 39 assists.

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UNC Tar Heels Betting Trends

The current four-game winning streak is the longest by UNC since November of 2019. The latest victory was a 17-point verdict over Elon. Sophomore guard Caleb Love and sophomore forward Dawson Garcia led the way, each with 22 points. It was the fourth game this season in multiple Tar Heels scored 20+ points. UNC is 4-0 in those games.

Five Tar Heels are averaging double-digits in scoring this season. Love leads the team with 16.9 points per game. Junior center/forward Armando Bacot (14.3), sophomore guard RJ Davis (13.9), Freshman guard Brady Manek (13.0) and Garcia (11.3) are are also key facets of the offense.

Love is sixth in the ACC in assists (3) and eighth in scoring. Bacot is second in the ACC in field goal percentage (.624), third in rebounding (9.6) and fifth in blocks (16). Davis and Love are tied for the team lead in 3-pointers (19), which ranks them third in the ACC. Davis is fourth in the ACC in 3-point field goal percentage (48.7, 19-of-39).

Tar Heels vs Paladins Prediction

North Carolina is a perfect 5-0 straight up at home this season. The Tar Heels have won their last four games and are 31st in KenPom. Carolina is sixth in the country in three-point field goal percentage (41.71), 13th in offensive efficiency and 26th in effective field goal percentage.

Furman has already played four overtime games. The Paladins are 3-1 in OT games thus far this season.

The two teams haven’t played since December 22, 1986 in Charlotte. Carolina is 7-0 against Furman in Chapel Hill. This is the first time the teams are playing in Chapel Hill since Jan. 8, 1972. Furman’s most recent win over UNC was an 83-70 decision on February 2, 1979.

Size could matter in this contest. Furman generally starts a four-guard lineup and doesn’t suit up a player taller than 6-foot-7.

Pick: Furman Paladins +11.5 (-110)

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