Action Network

BookmakersReview

CBS Sports

Covers

Dratings

DunkelIndex

ESPN

OddsTrader

SportGrid

Moneyline

Total

Point Spread

Away/Home

Wins

Ov / Un

Cardinals

Tar Heels

Caleb Wilson

Henri Veesaar

Ivan Matlekovic

James Brown

Jarin Stevenson

John Holbrook

Kyan Evans

Seth Trimble

Zayden High

Away/Home Defense

Away/Home Offense

Defense

Offense

Louisville Cardinals vs North Carolina Tar Heels Picks

Dean E. Smith Center

<p>Once again, we have a Big Monday matchup in the ACC to start our week, and this time, two ranked teams go head to head at the Dean Smith Center. The No. 21 Louisville Cardinals and No. 16 North Carolina Tar Heels both bring their 9-5 conference records into this game, and both are coming off a win on Saturday. Things have been up and down for the hosts recently, and they&#8217;ll still be without stud freshman Caleb Wilson. However lucky for them, Louisville struggles to do anything away from home. Check out our expert CBB picks below and see how our analysts are getting involved with this game.</p>
<h3><a href="https://affiliates.bettingnews.com/register/luckyrebel-articles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Best Bet: Louisville/North Carolina Under 162.5 (-111) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook</a></h3>
<p><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div class="my-3 card">
	<div class="item-position" style="display: none;"> 1 </div>
	<div class="card-body p-xl-3 d-flex flex-column align-items-xl-center flex-xl-row">
		<div class="mr-xl-4">
			<img decoding="async" src="https://fantasydataobj.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/books/luckyrebel-logo-194x62.webp" alt="Lucky Rebel Sportsbook logo" />
			<span><span class="sue-icon font-weight-bold text-nowrap sue-icon-no-url" style="font-size:12px;color:#5C6571;margin:0"><i class="sui sui-star" style="font-size:16px;line-height:16px;background:#fff;color:#FB8500;border-radius:256px;padding:4px"></i><span class="sue-icon-text"> 4.9/5 Review Rating </span></span></span>
		</div>
		<div class="py-3 py-xl-0 flex-fill lg:pl-2">
			<span class="badge badge-pill text-center text-xl-left badge-warning text-uppercase px-2 mb-2 font-weight-bold">Bonus & Benefits</span><br />
			<span class="mb-0 ml-2 ml-lg-0 text-dark font-weight-bold">Up to $1,250 + 50 Free Slots Spins </span><br />
			<a class="ml-2 ml-lg-0 align-self-center small font-weight-bold" href="/best-online-sportsbooks/luckyrebel-review/">See our review »</a>
		</div>
		<div class="bg-light p-2 rounded w-custom border-card">
			<span><span class="sue-icon sue-icon-no-url" style="font-size:14px;color:#1F2933;margin:0"><i class="sui sui-check-circle" style="font-size:16px;line-height:16px;background:#F4F7FC;color:#2FBB9C;border-radius:256px;padding:4px"></i><span class="sue-icon-text"> $1,250 Welcome Bonus </span></span></span><br />
			<span><span class="sue-icon sue-icon-no-url" style="font-size:14px;color:#1F2933;margin:0"><i class="sui sui-check-circle" style="font-size:16px;line-height:16px;background:#F4F7FC;color:#2FBB9C;border-radius:256px;padding:4px"></i><span class="sue-icon-text"> Bet Live on Your Favorite Sports </span></span></span><br />
			<span><span class="sue-icon sue-icon-no-url" style="font-size:14px;color:#1F2933;margin:0"><i class="sui sui-check-circle" style="font-size:16px;line-height:16px;background:#F4F7FC;color:#2FBB9C;border-radius:256px;padding:4px"></i><span class="sue-icon-text"> Earn More with Rebel Rewards! </span></span></span>
		</div>
	</div>
	<div class="card-footer bg-white border-top-0 px-xl-3 pt-0">
		<a class="top-affiliate affiliate-suffix review-suffix luckyrebel-cta-review btn btn-lg btn-success btn-block mb-2 stretched-link" style="font-size: .9rem;" role="button" href="https://affiliates.bettingnews.com/register/luckyrebel/" target="_blank" data-event-label="luckyrebel-sportsbook-card" rel="sponsored noopener">Play Now & Claim Bonus »</a>
	</div>
</div></span></p>
<p><a href="/author/nate/">Go check out what else I&#8217;ve got on</a> my daily card, and view the latest odds at the <a href="/best-online-sportsbooks/">best online sportsbooks.</a></p>
<h2><a href="/ncaab/matchup/2026-02-23-louisville_cardinals-north_carolina_tar_heels-n-1/">#21 Louisville Cardinals vs. #16 North Carolina Tar Heels NCAA Basketball Insights</a></h2>
<div id="attachment_91564" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-91564" class="size-full wp-image-91564" src="https://wp.bettingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/North-Carolina-SB-Nov-2025.webp" alt="Henri Veesaar is back in the lineup for the Tar Heels, immediately helping their rebounding and rim protecting - Louisville North Carolina Picks" width="1024" height="552" srcset="https://wp.bettingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/North-Carolina-SB-Nov-2025.webp 1024w, https://wp.bettingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/North-Carolina-SB-Nov-2025-300x162.webp 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><p id="caption-attachment-91564" class="wp-caption-text">Henri Veesaar is back in the lineup for the Tar Heels, immediately helping their rebounding and rim protecting</p></div>
<p>Prior to losing at SMU on Tuesday, the Cardinals had won five straight games. They&#8217;ve actually won eight of their last 10 after starting out 2-3 in ACC play this season. The problem is, their offensive numbers severely shrink away from home. Some, not me, but some would even call them &#8220;home court merchants&#8221;. We&#8217;ll see if that&#8217;s the case tonight on the road, as they find themselves as two point favorites against the Tar Heels.</p>
<p>Not often do you get North Carolina as a home dog. They were 5.5 point underdogs to Duke earlier this season and won outright, and they are actually a perfect 15-0 in their own gym. Even without Wilson, catching points with a blue blood at home is usually a good bet. Especially with Henri Veesaar back in the lineup.</p>
<h3>Matchup Information &#8211; Louisville vs. North Carolina &#8211; February 23</h3>
<ul>
<li>Venue &amp; Location: Dean Smith Center (Chapel Hill. NC)</li>
<li>Date: Monday, February 23, 2026</li>
<li>Kick Off: 7:00 p.m. Eastern</li>
<li>Broadcast: ESPN</li>
</ul>
<h3>Louisville vs. North Carolina Betting Odds</h3>
<p><em><a href="https://affiliates.bettingnews.com/register/luckyrebel-articles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Odds are courtesy of Lucky Rebel</a>, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of February 23, 2026 at 9:47 a.m. eastern. Sign up today with and get a $1,250 deposit bonus, as well as 50 slot spins immediately. Lucky Rebel Sportsbook offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.</em></p>
<h4>Spread</h4>
<ul>
<li>Louisville -2 (-114)</li>
<li>North Carolina +2 (-106)</li>
</ul>
<h4>Moneyline</h4>
<ul>
<li>Louisville -133</li>
<li>North Carolina +110</li>
</ul>
<h4>Total</h4>
<ul>
<li>Over 162.5 (-109)</li>
<li>Under 162.5 (-111)</li>
</ul>
<h2><a href="/ncaab/matchup/2026-02-23-louisville_cardinals-north_carolina_tar_heels-n-1/">#21 Louisville vs. #16 North Carolina NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions</a></h2>
<div id="attachment_97304" style="width: 1930px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-97304" class="size-full wp-image-97304" src="https://wp.bettingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mikel-brown-jr-louisville-basketball.jpg" alt="Mikel Brown Jr. and Louisville are short road favorites against the North Carolina Tar Heels, and I think they could be upset tonight - Louisville North Carolina Picks" width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://wp.bettingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mikel-brown-jr-louisville-basketball.jpg 1920w, https://wp.bettingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mikel-brown-jr-louisville-basketball-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wp.bettingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mikel-brown-jr-louisville-basketball-1024x576.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><p id="caption-attachment-97304" class="wp-caption-text">Mikel Brown Jr. and Louisville are short road favorites against the North Carolina Tar Heels, and I think they could be upset tonight</p></div>
<h3>Louisville vs. North Carolina Prediction: North Carolina Wins Outright, Under 162.5</h3>
<h3><a href="https://affiliates.bettingnews.com/register/luckyrebel-articles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Best Bet: Louisville/North Carolina Under 162.5 (-111) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook</a></h3>
<p>While I am worried about the pace of these two teams, North Carolina should be able to shutdown the Cardinals. Louisville drops over 80 spots in possessions per game on the road, and while the Tar Heels are still in the top half of the country, they&#8217;ll realize more possessions means more chances for the Cardinal shooters to light it up.</p>
<p>Louisville takes a ton of threes, but their shooting percentage takes a huge drop away from home. At the Yum Center, the Cardinals average 37.5% from deep and 58.8% in terms of eFG%. On the road, those numbers drop to a 53.5% eFG%, and just 32.7% from beyond the arc, yet they still shoot them over 52% of the time.</p>
<p>North Carolina certainly has the perimeter defense to lock down and contest those outside shots from their visitors. The Tar Heels hold their foes to just 30.6% from deep and rank top 10 in opponent eFG% at home as well. I see them focusing on the defensive end of things tonight, especially with Wilson on the bench, resulting in a slower, defensive minded game. This should cause both teams to stay under the 162.5 total.</p>
<h2>Still Didn&#8217;t Get Your NCAA Basketball Fix?</h2>
<p>Here at Betting News, we offer <a href="/picks/">Free Expert Picks</a> for every major sports league. We also host daily streams on our <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/bettingnews" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitch Channel with our best bets</a>, as well as <a href="https://www.playback.tv/bettingnews" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sweat out games on Playback!</a> Be sure to tune into everything we have going on at our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@YourBettingNews" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Youtube</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@yourbettingnews" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/YourBettingNews" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X pages as well,</a> and <a href="https://x.com/Shaggy_Bets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">follow my personal twitter @Shaggy_Bets for my full daily card.</a></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="/articles/ncaab/ncaa-basketball-transfer-portal-national-championship-odds-update/">Transfer Portal Update</a></li>
<li><a href="/articles/ncaab/ncaa-basketball-preview-picks-predictions-2025-2026-college-hoops-breakdown/">2025-2026 NCAA Basketball Preview</a></li>
<li><a href="/articles/ncaab/2025-2026-sec-basketball-preview-picks-predictions-futures/">SEC Basketball Preview</a></li>
<li><a href="/articles/ncaab/2025-26-big-12-basketball-conference-preview-picks-predictions/">Big 12 Conference Picks</a></li>
<li><a href="/articles/ncaab/2025-26-big-ten-basketball-conference-preview-picks-predictions/">Big Ten Conference Predictions</a></li>
<li><a href="/articles/ncaab/2025-26-acc-basketball-preview-picks-predictions/">ACC Basketball Preview</a></li>
</ul>
  <div id="more-news-shortcode" class="more-news-container">
    <div class="more-news-box">
      <h2 class="more-news-header">More NCAAB News</h2>

      <div class="more-news-grid">
                              <div class="more-news-card-container">
              <div class="more-news-img-container">
                <img decoding="async"
                  src="https://wp.bettingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/kelvin-sampson-houston-cougars-1.jpg"
                  alt="#5 Houston vs. #2 Arizona Picks and Predictions: Big 12 Championship"
                  loading="lazy"
                  class="more-news-img"
                />
              </div>

              <div class="more-news-text-container">
                <p class="more-news-category">NCAAB Betting News</p>

                <a class="more-news-a"
                   aria-label="#5 Houston vs. #2 Arizona Picks and Predictions: Big 12 Championship"
                   href="/articles/ncaab/houston-arizona-picks-predictions-2026-03-14/">
                  <h5 class="more-news-title">#5 Houston vs. #2 Arizona Picks and Predictions: Big 12 Championship</h5>
                  <p class="more-news-author">
                    Nate Hornung                    <span class="more-news-date">1 hour ago</span>
                  </p>
                </a>
              </div>
            </div>
                      <div class="more-news-card-container">
              <div class="more-news-img-container">
                <img decoding="async"
                  src="https://wp.bettingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Meleek-thomas-arkansas-basketball.jpg"
                  alt="Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions: Saturday&#8217;s Semifinals"
                  loading="lazy"
                  class="more-news-img"
                />
              </div>

              <div class="more-news-text-container">
                <p class="more-news-category">NCAAB Betting News</p>

                <a class="more-news-a"
                   aria-label="Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions: Saturday&#8217;s Semifinals"
                   href="/articles/ncaab/best-ncaa-basketball-picks-predictions-2026-03-14/">
                  <h5 class="more-news-title">Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions: Saturday&#8217;s Semifinals</h5>
                  <p class="more-news-author">
                    Nate Hornung                    <span class="more-news-date">3 hours ago</span>
                  </p>
                </a>
              </div>
            </div>
                      <div class="more-news-card-container">
              <div class="more-news-img-container">
                <img decoding="async"
                  src="https://wp.bettingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/bj-davis-san-diego-state-basketball.jpg"
                  alt="San Diego State vs. Utah State Prediction &#038; Best Bets: Departing Schools Meet for Mountain West Title"
                  loading="lazy"
                  class="more-news-img"
                />
              </div>

              <div class="more-news-text-container">
                <p class="more-news-category">NCAAB Betting News</p>

                <a class="more-news-a"
                   aria-label="San Diego State vs. Utah State Prediction &#038; Best Bets: Departing Schools Meet for Mountain West Title"
                   href="/articles/ncaab/san-diego-state-vs-utah-state-prediction-best-bets-2026-03-14/">
                  <h5 class="more-news-title">San Diego State vs. Utah State Prediction &#038; Best Bets: Departing Schools Meet for Mountain West Title</h5>
                  <p class="more-news-author">
                    Eddie Griffin                    <span class="more-news-date">3 hours ago</span>
                  </p>
                </a>
              </div>
            </div>
                      <div class="more-news-card-container">
              <div class="more-news-img-container">
                <img decoding="async"
                  src="https://wp.bettingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/robbie-avila-saint-louis-basketball-e1773457676207-768x432.jpg"
                  alt="Dayton vs. Saint Louis Prediction &#038; Best Bets: Perimeter Prowess the Key for Billikens"
                  loading="lazy"
                  class="more-news-img"
                />
              </div>

              <div class="more-news-text-container">
                <p class="more-news-category">NCAAB Betting News</p>

                <a class="more-news-a"
                   aria-label="Dayton vs. Saint Louis Prediction &#038; Best Bets: Perimeter Prowess the Key for Billikens"
                   href="/articles/ncaab/dayton-vs-saint-louis-prediction-best-bets-2026-03-14/">
                  <h5 class="more-news-title">Dayton vs. Saint Louis Prediction &#038; Best Bets: Perimeter Prowess the Key for Billikens</h5>
                  <p class="more-news-author">
                    Eddie Griffin                    <span class="more-news-date">6 hours ago</span>
                  </p>
                </a>
              </div>
            </div>
                        </div>
    </div>
  </div>
  
<div class="my-3 card card-body d-flex flex-column flex-lg-row align-items-center" style="background-color: #01337d;">
    <div class="py-3 flex-fill">
        <p class="mb-0 lead text-white text-center text-lg-left font-weight-bold">
            <span style="font-size: 1.15rem;">Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly</span>
            <br><br>
            <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Sign up for</span>
            <br>
            <span style="font-size: 1.15rem;">THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER</span>
        </p>
    </div>
    <div>
        <a class="mx-2 btn btn-lg btn-danger stretched-link text-nowrap" role="button" href="/newsletter-subscription/" style="padding: .5rem 2rem;width: 300px;margin: 0;">Get FREE Picks</a>
    </div>
</div>
<h2>Check Out All of Our Betting Resources at Betting News</h2>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">
<div class="su-list mb-5" style="margin-left:0px">
</div>
<ul class="p-rich_text_list p-rich_text_list__bullet" data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/nfl/picks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="/nfl/picks/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Picks &amp; Odds for the NFL</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/nfl-betting-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="/nfl-betting-guide/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">NFL Betting Guide for Beginners</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/ncaaf/picks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="/ncaaf/picks/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Pick &amp; Odds for NCAAF</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/guides/college-football-betting-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="/guides/college-football-betting-guide/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">NCAAF Betting Guide for Beginners</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/mlb/picks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="/mlb/picks/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Picks &amp; Odds in the MLB</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/guides/mlb-betting-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="/guides/mlb-betting-guide/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">MLB Betting Guide for Beginners</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/nba/picks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="/nba/picks/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Picks &amp; Odds in the NBA</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/guides/nba-betting-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="/guides/nba-betting-guide/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">NBA Betting Guide for Beginners</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/nhl/picks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="/nhl/picks/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Picks &amp; Odds in the NHL</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/sports-betting-guides/nhl-betting-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="/guides/nhl-betting-guide/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">NHL Betting Guide for Beginners</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="p-rich_text_section"></div></div>


The Tar Heels are catching way too many points on the road against Duke - NCAA Basketball Picks

#21 Louisville vs. #16 North Carolina Picks and Predictions: ACC Hoops

Dallin Hall and Virginia have revenge on their mind in the ACC Championship against Duke - Duke Virginia Picks

#10 Virginia vs. #1 Duke Picks and Predictions: ACC Championship

Rick Pitino and Dan Hurley face off in the Big East Championship tonight - St. John's UConn Picks

#6 UConn vs. #13 St. John’s Picks and Predictions: Big East Championship

Can Kelvin Sampson and Houston capture a second straight Big 12 Tournament Championship? Houston Arizona Picks

#5 Houston vs. #2 Arizona Picks and Predictions: Big 12 Championship

Meleek Thomas and the Razorbacks should end the Rebels' Cinderella run in the SEC Tournament - NCAA Basketball Picks

Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions: Saturday’s Semifinals

San Diego State's BJ Davis (right, #10), the hero vs. New Mexico - San Diego State vs. Utah State Prediction & Best Bets (2026 Mountain West Tournament Final - Saturday, March 14, 2026)

San Diego State vs. Utah State Prediction & Best Bets: Departing Schools Meet for Mountain West Title