North Carolina vs Duke ACC Semifinal Prediction, Odds and College Basketball Picks March 14

One of the great rivalries in college basketball will have another important chapter on Friday as the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils meet the North Carolina Tar Heels in the ACC Tournament semifinals.

Duke is a solid favorite in the college basketball odds, but probably will be without its player of the year candidate Cooper Flagg. The freshman phenom injured his ankle early in the 78-70 victory over Georgia Tech on Thursday. Check late NCAAB Basketball news for his status.

North Carolina might be a good underdog for your bets on March Madness after beating Wake Forest 68-59 on Thursday for its eighth win in nine games. The Tar Heels lost a pair to Duke during the regular season by a total of 30 points, but we like an upset here.

North Carolina vs Duke Prediction Today

North Carolina 82, Duke 76

This might be a stretch with the way Duke handled North Carolina in Chapel Hill last weekend (82-69), but the Blue Devils could be without Flagg and won’t have key reserve Maliq Brown (shoulder). The Tar Heels may pull the surprise, or at least beat the NCAAB spread.

North Carolina vs Duke How to Watch

• Game: North Carolina Tar Heels (22-12) vs Duke Blue Devils (29-3)
• Date/Time: March 14, 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, N.C.
• North Carolina vs Duke Live Stream: Fubo.tv

North Carolina vs Duke 2 Betting Picks

1. North Carolina ML (+280), +7.5 ATS

Sometimes you take a wild swing, and it’s worth it. North Carolina will be one of our value college basketball picks for Friday, even though it is 14-19-1 ATS.

The Tar Heels did not shoot well against Wake Forest, but they defended and got contributions throughout the lineup. Senior RJ Davis led the way with 23 points while Jae’Lyn Withers (nine points, nine rebounds) and Ven-Allen Lubin (10, 13) continued their progress.

Clutch when it counted 🗣️ @LubinVen pic.twitter.com/JQXvyTV0uH

— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) March 13, 2025

North Carolina is playing its best basketball at the right time, and it’s difficult to beat a team three times in a season.

Bet on North Carolina ML (+280) and +7.5 points vs Duke

2. Bet on Over 155 Points

North Carolina is going to have to put up points to beat Duke this season. The Blue Devils totaled 169 in two wins over the Tar Heels.

Davis will have to get another good game from Seth Trimble, who had 10 against Wake, and Ian Jackson (13 ppg) must find his scoring touch after totaling seven in the last two games.

Duke averages more than 83 points per game and is a co-favorite in the odds to win the NCAAB Championship with Auburn (+350) Kon Knueppel scored a career-high 28 points on Thursday. Even if Flagg can’t play, there should be plenty of offense.

Kon Knueppel is the first Duke player to post a 25/5/5 line in a postseason game since Kyle Singler in the 2010 ACCT semifinals.

Knueppel is the only player in the conference to post a 28+ point, 8+ assist, 5+ rebound game in the ACC Tournament since at least 2005. pic.twitter.com/gIWWoKHHbV

— The Brotherhood (@BrotherhoodCBB) March 13, 2025

Bet on Tar Heels vs Blue Devils Over 155

North Carolina vs Duke Best Player Prop Pick

• RJ Davis Over 16.5 Points (-124)

RJ Davis is ending his career for the Tar Heels, and he is leaving quite an impression.

The senior guard made 5-of-6 from 3-point range and all eight free throws in the win over Wake Forest for his 11th 20+ point performance of the season. He totaled 55 points in the semis and finals at the ACC tournament last year.

The RJ Davis three off a beautiful set to spark the running the last 3 minutes

More of these late-game sets, please pic.twitter.com/v95P3HJcDw

— Jacob Rhymer (@Rhymetime05) March 13, 2025

While he has been getting more help of late, Davis is your safest prop bet in college basketballgames today. He is 6-of-13 from 3-point range versus Duke this season.

Bet on RJ Davis Over 16.5 points (-124)

Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.

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