Ohio State vs. North Carolina Predictions & Odds: College Basketball Picks Tonight (Dec. 20)

My Ohio State vs. North Carolina predictions are counting on another slow start for the No. 12 Tar Heels in a neutral site environment against the unranked Buckeyes. Tipoff for this second game of the CBS Sports Classic from State Farm Arena in Atlanta is set for 3 p.m. ET (CBS/Paramount+).

North Carolina (10-1) is anywhere from a 3.5 to 4.5-point betting favorite over Ohio State (8-2), as the Buckeyes seek their first win over a ranked opponent. In order to earn that win, I expect them to lean on leading scorer Bruce Thornton for a big game.

🏀 Ohio State vs. North Carolina prediction

Don't miss the rest of our college basketball picks this season.

Ohio State +1.5 first half spread (-104) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

North Carolina has started slow on several occasions, either being tied or trailing at the half in all three games against top-20 KenPom competition. 

It was also poor in the first 10 minutes against Radford (trailed by three), USC Upstate (tied), and East Tennessee State (trailed by one), while leading a 113th-ranked St. Bonaventure team by two at halftime. 

Ohio State will make the Tar Heels pay for a slow start. It ranks in the top 13 in effective field goal percentage and 2-point shooting.

The price is right at FanDuel with its -104, but I wouldn’t put anyone off waiting for a +2 or better seeing as the full game spread is as high as +4.5.

Score prediction: North Carolina 77, Ohio State 76

🔥 Best Ohio State vs. North Carolina player prop

Search the best college basketball player prop odds for any team or player across every market from legal sportsbooks in your area.

Bruce Thornton, PG, Ohio State: Over 17.5 points (-120) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bruce Thornton leads all Buckeyes with 21.6 points per game, and is coming off a clutch game-winning shot in double overtime against West Virginia.

Thornton is shooting 66.7% from 2-point range and 49.1% from beyond the arc, attempting five or more per game on both. He has sat a total of six minutes over the last four games, and I expect head coach Jake Diebler to lean on him for all 40 minutes in the biggest test yet.

There is great value in bet365’s -120 price (54.55% implied odds), as some of our best sports betting sites are a full point higher at 18.5.

📊 Ohio State vs. North Carolina odds

See the latest college basketball odds for every game in real time.

📺 How to watch Ohio State vs. North Carolina

• Date: Saturday, Dec. 20
• Tipoff: 3 p.m. ET
• Location: State Farm Arena (Atlanta)
• TV: CBS