Radford vs North Carolina: NCAA Basketball Tournament Preview & Odds
Written March 16, 2009 by Jordan Haimowitz
The Tar Heels better watch out in their opener against the Radford Highlanders. Watch out as in, NOBODY GET HURT. With UNC already having to deal with a hobbled Ty Lawson (ACC Player Of The Year), the last thing they need is to worry about another injury going into a second round match up. UNC is obviously far superior to Radford in every major statistic, while The Highlanders did average a third of a point less a game against, it came versus the lowly competition they played. The Heels can play this game with their second string players and win easily, that will not be the worry. However, anyone that feels their is nothing to be gained by this game, they are dead wrong. Either Butler or LSU will be UNC’s next opponent. That in my opinion is the most intriguing match up of all the 8 vs 9 seeds. So, in result the Heels better stay sharp and not come out against Radford like it is some sort of scrimmage. The odds makers are favoring The Heels to win the tournament once again. They score 90 points per game and have as much talent if not more then any team in the land. It will be their defense that they need to improve on (they give up 73 PPG). Their has never been a 16 seed that has defeated a 1 seed and it most certainly will not start here. The opening line for the game has the Tar Heels as 26.5 point favorites over Radford.
The Radford Highlanders, they are the champions of the Big South conference. They defeated VMI in their conference championship game 108-94. That was the only game that had a registered Vegas or offshore spread all season long for them. Now, Radford does have a big man on their squad that will be able to bang with the Heels. He is 6′11 Center from Minsk, Belarus Artsiom Parakhouski. He averages 16 points and 11 rebounds per game. Radford has been one of the unknown schools that have challenged themselves this year. They lost @ Virginia 68-66 in a game they led at halftime, they lost @ West Virginia, @ Wake Forest and @ George Mason. There is not one person who believes Radford will win including their own players and coach. That is not in question, what is however in play is the 26.5 points they are getting. Ty Lawson of UNC says he will be ready to go, but exactly how healthy will he be? Will they play him big minutes? These are questions that make Radford an enticing selection on the spread by many people. Keep that in mind. Bet the first round of the NCAA Tournament with Sportsbook.com.
Haimo’s Hot Notes: UNC ended the regular season and conference tournament an awful 11-19 ATS. Radford had their only game against the spread when they faced VMI in the conference championship which they covered being favored by 3 points. From what I have heard the early lean has been on Radford +26.5. Here is a mind blowing trend to chew on. When UNC is favored by 20 or more points this year they are 2-8 ATS. We have all learned what following trends can do to someone. The trends here say take Radford with the points and run. Just be careful what you wish for. Radford is the 16 seed and UNC is the 1 seed for a reason. Radford will have no match ups for any of The Heels starters with perhaps the exception being Parakhouski on Hansbrough or Deon Thompson. I wouldn’t put to much on this game either way you’re leaning.
I will be giving preview’s for all the South first round match ups. I will have half of them with predictions as well with as always my one best bet. If their is no prediction at the end of the article to me it was not one of the first round match ups that looked the best. Post all of your comments, opinions and requests down low and lets go make some money.
Radford was 1-0 ATS this year
UNC was 11-19 ATS this year
Get even more college basketball picks from our experts here at Betfirms. If you are looking to bet on college basketball, we urge you to take a look at our comparative NCAA basketball lines feed to see which sportsbooks are offering the best lines on this year’s tournament games.
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One Response to “Radford vs North Carolina: NCAA Basketball Tournament Preview & Odds”
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It’s cool you can speak your mind. But why hate so much on Radford? They do have a chance, and Art can shut down Hansbrough.
What exactly is your problem?
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