2008 North Carolina NCAA Basketball Tournament Odds

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We’ll take a look at the 2008 North Carolina Tar Heels odds to win the NCAA Tournament in this article. The Tar Heels are the number three ranked team in the nation behind Memphis and ACC rival Duke and once again have a squad capable of winning it all.

UNC is 21-1 on the season with its only loss against Maryland by two points. The Heels are sitting in second place in the ACC at 6-1, but with two games still to play against first place Duke, another ACC title is not out of reach. Surprisingly, UNC’s loss to Maryland came at the Dean Smith Center. The Heels are a perfect 8-0 on the road and 3-0 in neutral site games. North Carolina is among the public’s favorite teams to back and it has been paying off. At 15-4 against the number this season, the Heels are one of the best covering teams in the nation and certainly the best in the ACC.

Of North Carolina’s nine remaining games, only three figure to give the Tar Heels a run for their money. Two of those games are with rival Duke and we can always expect those matchups to go right down to the wire. The other is with Clemson, which has already taken UNC to OT in a matchup back in early January. If the Tar Heels can sweep the Blue Devils, they will likely win another ACC title. But as most would say, easier said than done. However, I think the Heels have the better team this season and a big advantage with Tyler Hansbrough in the post. Duke doesn’t have a player who will be able to shut him down and may have to go to a zone defense. Also, Ty Lawson causes matchup problems for just about whoever guards him with his quickness and strength. I don’t think Greg Paulus will be able to handle him one on one and I don’t think Duke can afford to have DeMarcus Nelson guard smaller. Hopefully, Lawson will be able to play against the Dukies as he is listed as questionable with an ankle injury.

North Carolina has one of the most complete teams in the country with a nice balance of inside and outside scoring. Hansbrough is clearly one of the best centers in the country and Lawson one of the best points. The Heels also have great depth, which is something that many teams do not have the luxury of. While Memphis is number one in the country and will likely end the year that way because it plays in a weaker conference and probably won’t lose, the Tar Heels are the better team in my opinion and will benefit from playing tough conference games in the Big Dance.

With experience, depth, and athleticism, if Carolina doesn’t lose focus on the defensive end, it could be cutting down the nets this April.

Odds to win the NCAA Tournament: 6/1

Take a look at our betting articles on other NCAA basketball teams:

• Maryland Terrapins

• Drake Bulldogs

• Duke Blue Devils

• Kansas Jayhawks

• Memphis Tigers

• UCLA Bruins

• Michigan State Spartans

• Tennessee Vols

• Butler Bulldogs

• Stanford Cardinal

February 5th, 2007