For both No. 10 Alabama and No. 20 North Carolina, Thanksgiving week came with a side dish of frustration. In an event in Las Vegas, the Crimson Tide struggled to put away 11-point underdog Rutgers and then lost to 6.5-point underdog No. 12 Oregon on a putback dunk. In Maui, the Tar Heels lost by 13 to No. 2 Auburn and then were upset by 5.5-point underdog Michigan State.
One of these teams has to cover Wednesday in the Dean Dome, when North Carolina hosts Alabama in the ACC/SEC Challenge. The Tar Heels are favored by 2 points at bet365, but neither squad has been great ATS—the Crimson Tide is just 3-5 against the number thus far, while the Tar Heels have failed to cover in three straight.
Alabama vs North Carolina Odds Today
Alabama vs North Carolina, Dec. 4, 7:15 pm ET
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Crimson Tide | +2 (-110) | +110 | O175 (-110) |
| North Carolina Tar Heels | -2 (-110) | -130 | U175 (-110) |
Odds as of Dec. 4 at bet365
Alabama vs North Carolina Picks Today
Alabama +2 (-110) at bet365
OVER 175 (-110) at bet365
Both North Carolina and Alabama have potential first-team All-Americans who are struggling to find their rhythm early in the season. Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears, who averaged 21.5 points last year, has scored 20 or more just twice since opening night, and has shot better than 36 percent from the field just once over that same span. His best game came in an upset of top-five Houston, when he struck for 24—but was still just 4 of 13 from the field.
R.J. Davis can commiserate. The North Carolina guard, who averaged 21.2 points last season, has gone for 20 or more just once since the opener, and like Sears has been really inconsistent from the field—especially from 3-point range, where he’s hitting at just a 27.5 percent clip. He had a monster 30-point game against Dayton in Maui, but that’s one of the few times this season he’s looked like the Davis of old.
There’s no Amando Bacot in the post this season for the Tar Heels, so Davis carries the bulk of UNC’s scoring load. Sears at least has a very capable wingman in forward Grant Nelson, who went for 23 in a victory against Illinois. That’s one of two Top 25 victories the Crimson Tide own this season, compared to none for North Carolina, which nudges us toward Alabama as an underdog on the road.
Although their star guards may have yet to click into top gear, both of these teams like to get up and down the floor—evident in the fact that the Tar Heels have gone OVER in six of seven games so far this season, and Alabama in four of its last five. Those trends speak for themselves in a game that could turn into a track meet.
Alabama vs North Carolina News
Crimson Tide guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr., a starter on Alabama’s Final Four team last season, left the game against Oregon on Nov. 30 with an apparent lower leg injury. In the immediate aftermath, coach Nate Oats feared an Achilles’ injury, according to the Tuscaloosa News. Wrightsell’s status for the North Carolina game remains uncertain. The Tar Heels have no injuries to report.
Alabama vs North Carolina Prop Bet:
Alabama OVER 83.5 (-200) at bet365
While North Carolina entered the week ranked seventh nationally in scoring, Alabama has proven more potent against tournament-caliber teams—posting 78 against Purdue, 100 against Illinois, 85 against Houston, 95 against Rutgers and 81 against Oregon. Even when the Crimson Tide loses, it tends to score big, making this team total worth considering.
Alabama vs North Carolina Betting Trends
- Alabama is 1-0 ATS this season as an underdog.
- North Carolina is 2-3 ATS this season as a favorite.
- Alabama is 2-1 ATS this season against ranked opponents.
