The Saint Peter's Peacocks are set to face the North Carolina Tar Heels. Check out our March Madness odds series, which includes our Saint Peter's North Carolina prediction, odds, and pick.
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What an incredible moment we have here in Philadelphia on a Sunday afternoon. Mike Krzyzewski and Duke will either play the ultimate Cinderella in NCAA Tournament history, or we will get our very first Duke-North Carolina meeting in the NCAA Tournament, at the Final Four in New Orleans before a massive Superdome crowd. Either way, one of the most hyped Final Four matchups is about to emerge. Which team will greet Coach K in the Big Easy? It's a question March Madness odds experts are eager to study.
When thinking about a Saint Peter's North Carolina prediction, realize that Saint Peter's managed to successfully defend Purdue's big men on Friday night in the big 15-over-3 upset which has brought the Peacocks to this regional final. Saint Peter's became the first 15 seed to make the Elite 8 because, even though it is undersized, it plays great positional defense without fouling. The Peacocks were able to contain Kentucky's Oscar Tshiebwe in the latter stages of that 15-2 upset in the first round. They were able to then stand up to Purdue's tall trees in the Sweet 16. If Saint Peter's can defend imposing size and power, they can certainly defend North Carolina as well. Armando Bacot is the low-post threat for North Carolina, and he is a superb player who could go off in this game, but Saint Peter's is so locked in at the defensive end of the floor that the Peacocks have every right to think they can stay close the whole way.
When you arrive at your Saint Peter's North Carolina pick, realize that UNC's guards have come up clutch in this tournament. R.J. Davis shredded Baylor in the second round. Friday night, Caleb Love sliced up UCLA for 30 points in the regional semifinal round. First-year coach Hubert Davis struggled for several months to get the most out of this team, but he has managed to bring all his players together and get his guards to raise their game in March. This is where — and why — North Carolina has raised its ceiling. The Tar Heels have managed to become their best selves at the right time, which is the story of how the ACC has shrugged off a subpar regular season to become the most successful conference in the NCAA Tournament.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Saint Peter's-North Carolina odds:
March Madness Odds: Saint Peter's-North Carolina Odds
Saint Peter's: +8.5 (-110)
North Carolina: -8.5 (-110)
Over: 137.5 (-110)
Under: 137.5 (-110)
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Why Saint Peter's Could Cover the Spread
The Peacocks play elite defense. They won't allow North Carolina to pull away at any point in this game.
Why North Carolina Could Cover the Spread
The Tar Heels are playing their best basketball at the perfect time of year. They just beat two teams, Baylor and UCLA, which generally play great defense and are more physical than Saint Peter's.
Final Saint Peter's-North Carolina Prediction & Pick
North Carolina will win the game, but Saint Peter's — which will have a partisan crowd in Philadelphia, not too far from the school's campus — has earned enough respect and trust to be viewed as a team which will keep this game competitive for 40 minutes. Saint Peter's isn't shooting out of its mind; defense travels, and the Peacocks know how to bother opponents. UNC wins by five.
Final Saint Peter's North Carolina Pick: Saint Peter's +8.5
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