The Providence Friars vs. North Carolina Tar Heels is a #11 seed versus #6 matchup. In terms of selecting an upset, this is usually as deep as most individuals go in terms of seedings. However, this is not saying that Providence is going to best North Carolina. Providence has had an impressive run to finish the season. While their record of 23-11 isn’t an overstatement, especially when coming to the fragmented conference now known as the Big East, it did best Creighton in the Big East Championship game (who would have ever thought Providence and Creighton would be headlining the Big East).
#11- Providence Friars vs. #6- North Carolina Tar Heels Free Pick & Preview
East Region
Date/Time: March 21, 7:20 pm EST on TNT
College Basketball Betting Odds from WagerWeb
College Basketball Betting Favorite: North Carolina -4
Total: 143
The North Carolina Tar Heels finished their season with a 23-9 record. However, this can be a bit of an illusion as well. The Tar Heels started off the season a bit rocky, until they marched into East Lansing and beat the Michigan State Spartans, who many have pegged to win the entire tournament. Regardless of that though, it is an impressive victory. They also beat Duke as well. North Carolina’s season has been all about swings. They seem to swing up for an extended period of time, before crashing for several games. March Madness is not the time where you want to be swinging down.
Free Pick: North Carolina -4
When it comes to selecting a team though, it is difficult to go against head coach Roy Williams in the round of 64. Coaching is incredibly important when it comes to college basketball, and although no disrespect to Providence, they just don’t have the kind of prowess that North Carolina and Roy Williams has. Additionally, while the ACC is not a truly powerful conference this year (it is probably ranked behind the Big Ten, Big12 and Pac12 at least in terms of conference rankings), it is a far cry ahead of the current Big East. Due to this, between the tough schedule and the head coaching, North Carolina should be the free pick here.
For more free sports picks follow me on twitter and sign up for the free newsletter in the upper right hand side of this page.
6-1 last 7 college hoops plays! 70-46 last 116 NCAA BB plays (60% Winners)! I was the #1 Ranked College Basketball Handicapper Last year and my March Madness ALL ACCESS Pass is just $250! $1,000 bettors profited more than $33,000 last year! All the guaranteed sports picks here!
