Saturday’s ACC Tip Sheet

Conference play is underway in the ACC and this Saturday’s betting action offers a trio of matchups featuring four nationally ranked teams in the AP’s most recent Top 25.

Getting things started early Saturday afternoon, No. 15 North Carolina will be on the road against Pittsburgh. The biggest showdown on the board pits No. 9 Florida State against No. 4 Virginia in Charlottesville. The lone ACC matchup on Saturday night sends Clemson to Durham to take on No. 1 Duke.


No. 15 North Carolina Tar Heels at Pittsburgh Panthers (ACC Network, 12:00 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: North Carolina -10, Total 151

Betting Matchup

North Carolina’s three straight-up losses this season against 10 victories have come against Texas, Michigan and Kentucky in a very competitive nonconference run. The Tar Heels are 7-4-2 against the spread over the same span with the total going OVER in eight of those 13 games. They are averaging 90.3 points per game with four different players averaging at least 11 PPG. Senior guard Cameron Johnson as led the way with a scoring average of 16.4 points.

The Panthers have matched the Tar Heels’ SU record at 10-3 with 10 covers ATS in those first 13 outings. The total has stayed UNDER in six of their last seven games and in eight of 13 games overall. Pitt is averaging 77.4 PPG, but its strength has been at the other end of the court with a points allowed average of 62.2. Freshman guard Xavier Johnson leads the team in both points (16.3) and assists (5.0).

Betting Trends

-- The Tar Heels are 5-2 ATS in their last seven road games and the total has gone OVER in seven of their last 10 Saturday games.

-- The Panthers have covered in five of their last six games at home and the total has stayed UNDER in 22 of their last 27 home games.

-- North Carolina has a 4-1 edge both SU and ATS in the last five meetings with the total staying UNDER in three of those games.

No. 9 Florida State Seminoles at No. 4 Virginia Cavaliers (ESPN2, 3:00 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Virginia -9 ½, Total 129 ½

Betting Matchup

Florida State is 12-1 SU and it closed out its nonconference schedule with a seven-game winning streak. However, it has failed to cover as a favorite in five of those last seven victories as part of a 5-8 record ATS overall. The total has gone OVER in five of the Seminoles’ last six outings. This roster is three deep with double-digit scorers and it is shooting 47 percent from the floor. Florida State is averaging 81 PPG.

Virginia has moved near the top of the rankings with a perfect 12-0 SU start and it has also been a solid betting team at 9-3 ATS. The Cavaliers have covered in five of their first seven home this season and the total has stayed UNDER in five of their last seven games overall. Defense has always been the cornerstone of this program’s success and this season Virginia is holding opponents to just 51.4 PPG.

Betting Trends

-- The Seminoles have gone just 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight games following a SU win with the total staying UNDER in 10 of their last 11 road games.

-- The Cavaliers are 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 ACC games and the total has stayed UNDER in four of their last five games at home.

-- Florida State has the slight 3-2 edge ATS in the last five meetings and the total has stayed UNDER in the last four matchups at Virginia.

Clemson Tigers at No. 1 Duke Blue Devils (ESPN, 8:00 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Duke -17 ½ , Total 151

Betting Matchup

Clemson opens its ACC schedule at 10-3 SU with a 4-9 record ATS. The Tigers did cover in their last three games and the total has gone OVER in four of their last five outings. Much of the team’s early success can be attributed to the elevated play of senior guard Marcquise Reed. He did miss three starts in December, but he leads the team in points (20.1) and assists (3.6) when he is on the court.

The Blue Devils’ nonconference schedule was highlighted by a victory against Kentucky in its season opener as two-point underdogs. The lone SU loss against 11 wins came against Gonzaga as eight-point favorites. They are 8-4 ATS heading into ACC play and the total has stayed UNDER in 10 of those first 12 games. Led by pair of freshman forwards, RJ Barrett is the top scorer (23.8 PPG) and Zion Williamson is Duke’s best all-around player. The team is averaging 91.6 points while allowing 63.8 points on defense.

Betting Trends

-- The Tigers are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games and the total has gone OVER in four of those contests.

-- The Blue Devils have covered the spread in five of their last six home games and the total has stayed UNDER in seven of their last nine conference games.

-- Duke is 5-1 SU in the last six meetings with the series tied 3-3 ATS. The total has stayed UNDER in six of the last eight meetings at Duke