North Carolina vs Portland Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for Nov. 24 (Tar Heels Ground Pilots at Moda Center)

North Carolina vs Portland Game Info

2022-23 NCAA College Basketball Regular Season'Game
No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels (4-0) vs .'Portland Pilots (4-2)
Date:'Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022
Time:'1 p.m. ET
Venue:'Moda Center – Portland, OR
Coverage:'ESPN

The 2022-23 NCAA college basketball season continues on Thursday, Nov. 24 with a Phil Knight Invitational opening-round matchup between the No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels and Portland Pilots.

North Carolina improved to 4-0 on the season following an 80-64 victory over James Madison on Sunday. Meanwhile, Portland has dropped two of its last three games following a 3-0 start, losing 80-68 to Seattle U on Saturday.

North Caro lina vs Portland Odds & Spread

Moneyline:'UNC: (-1450) | PORT: (+810)
Spread:'UNC: -15.5 (-106) | PORT: +15.5 (-114)
Total:'153.5 -Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

North Carolina enters this contest as the slight favorite on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 1 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 153.5 points, which is among the highest of Thursday's projected totals.

North Carolina vs Portland Prediction & Pick

North Carolina shouldn't break much of a sweat in its first 2022 Phil Knight Invitational matchup. The Tar Heels are averaging 80.8 points per game (No. 8) this season, which is a clip that's increased to 84.7 PPG over the last three games.

It's going to be hard for Portland to keep up with that rate, especially after being held to 68 or fewer points in each of its last three games. Furthermore, the Pilots have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four games, whereas UNC is 11-4 against the spread in its last 15.

With the ACC offering much stiffer competition than what Portland is used to, back North Carolina getting things done at the Moda Center.

Final Score Prediction:'North Carolina: 81 | Portland: 57

North Carolina vs Portland Betting Trends

– North Carolina is 9-1 straight up in its last 10 games.
– Portland is 2-4 against the spread (ATS) in its last six games.
– The total has hit the under in four of North Carolina's last five games.
– The total has hit the under in four of Portland's last six games.

North Carolina vs Portland Best Bet

Even though this game's total is among the highest on Thursday, I don't expect it to be reached. North Carolina's offense is great, however, its defense will likely give Portland little to work with, leading to the total missing the mark.

With the total also going under in four of UNC's last games and in four of Portland's most recent six, back the total hitting under 153.5 points this afternoon.