North Carolina Tar Heels vs UNLV Runnin' Rebels Point Spread Picks

UNLV keeps changing coaches, but it hasn't made much difference and the Runnin' Rebels are off to another bad start this season losing 91-78 to Montana State as a 12-point favorite. The Rebels were down 18 at the half and allowed the Bobcats to shoot 56-percent for the game as they showed no defensive intensity to speak of. Bryce Hamilton was the lone bright spot as he scored 27 points on 10 of 19 shooting. Now UNLV has to face North Carolina in the Maui Invitational, which is being played in Asheville, N.C., and the Tarheels have one of the best frontcourts in the country, including senior 6-foot-10-inch forward Garrison Brooks, who is the preseason ACC Player of the Year and 6-10 sophomore Armando Bacot along with 7-1 freshman Walker Kessler. UNLV is 0-5 ATS its last five neutral site games and 1-6 ATS after allowing at least 90 points its previous game. Play North Carolina.

The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels are off to an 11-1 start and are ranked No. 17 in the country. They bring with them a nine-game winning streak, and will be making their first appearance ever in Chapel Hill - not an easy venue for any team, let alone one that has never played here. UNLV knocked off the Tar Heels last season when North Carolina was ranked No. 1, so UNC will have an edge in this game, and will be out for redemption. The Tar Heels are green, talented, and growing. They have also won four out of their last five. Young teams are generally more at ease at home. This has been a chamber of horrors for visiting teams that aren't in the ACC as North Carolina has won 62 straight at the Dean Center, with the last loss over seven years ago. The Rebels know that they can't let this one turn into a track meet or they are going to frenzy the crowd and play into UNC’s strength. UNLV has held eight opponents to 63 points or less, and they can't let this one get into the 80s or it will be lights out. UNLV is just 1-10 ATS in their last 11 on the road, where they have also played four of their last five to the UNDER. The Tar Heels have been more defensive after an ATS win where four of their last five have played to the UNDER as well. Play on North Carolina and take the UNDER.