This is a tough spot for North Carolina to cover a big number, as the Tar Heels are coming off an emotional and physically draining loss to Kentucky in Las Vegas on Saturday. Justin Jackson scored 34 points and Joel Berry II added 23 points and seven assists, but the Tar Heels lost in the final seconds to the Wildcats, who shot 54.1 percent overall and 55.6 percent from long range. North Carolina is 10-2 this season, but just 5-5-1 ATS and Northern Iowa has covered seven of its last nine road games dating to last season. The Panthers actually defeated UNC 71-67 last season as a 6.5-point underdog. Northern Iowa had a two-game winning streak snapped in a loss to Iowa on Saturday as it shot just 26.8 percent. The Panthers allow just 43.2 percent shooting defensively. Look for the Panthers to bounce back and cover the big spread in this matchup, so take the points on Northern Iowa.
This pick was released to clients on December 21, 2023 at 10:04AM ET.
CBB
Northern Iowa at North Carolina
December 21, 2016
8:00 PM Eastern
1 unit on Northern Iowa +18.5 (-105) (risk 1 to return 1.95)
Result:
LOSS
LOSS
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