The top-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels are taking on the Texas Southern Tigers in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. The game is scheduled for a 4:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on TNT. The college basketball odds for the game have the Tar Heels favored to pick up the win.

College Basketball Odds
North Carolina -27
Total: 154.5 points

North Carolina can cover the number here if they play strong defense and really keep Texas Southern from potentially building any momentum. The Tigers are clearly overmatched here but it’s worth noting that Mike Davis, former Indiana coach, is leading the Texas Southern program. The Tigers have won nine straight games overall and have qualified for three straight NCAA Tournaments now. 

North Carolina is considerably bigger across the board and they will look to use that size and impose their will on the Tigers. The Tar Heels are going to attack with Justin Jackson, Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks and just manhandle the Tigers inside and put up a ton of points from the paint.

Texas Southern ranks 226th in defensive efficiency numbers. Not good.

Free Pick: OVER

 Wichita St. Vs. Dayton (Betting NCAA Basketball)

A battle tested team that is underrated typically does well in the Big Dance. handicapped by Pro Bettor Brad Powers - with Steve Fezzik from the Pregame.com Studios in Las Vegas. Get his NCAA College Basketball Free Pick: Wichita St Vs. Dayton

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