Cardinals at Tar Heels Preview & Betting Tips

Under coach Pat Kelsey (in his second year), the Cardinals have been strong this season (19-6 SU) and have solid ACC play (8-4). They've shown offensive firepower.

For example, there was a recent high-scoring win, 118-77 over NC State, and competitiveness against top opponents. Key contributors include guards/forwards providing scoring and rebounding depth. Louisville aims to build on recent momentum with a quality road win here to boost its resume.

Led by coach Hubert Davis, UNC remains a blue-blood contender with an 8-4 ACC mark and strong overall form (20-5). They boast balanced play, tough defense in key moments, and home-court dominance at the Smith Center.

Recent results include solid wins, positioning them well in the ACC race for a high seed. UNC looks to defend home court against a capable Louisville squad.

Louisville at North Carolina Preview

On Monday, February 23, 2026, the North Carolina Tar Heels will host the Louisville Cardinals at Dean E Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. ET, with television coverage on ESPN.

Public Betting Odds Factors

• This matchup is a classic ACC battle.

• UNC is favored at home against the NCAA basketball spread, but Louisville's form could make them competitive.

• This ACC clash features two solid teams tied in conference play, battling for better positioning in the standings and NCAA Tournament seeding.

• Of great concern is that North Carolina freshman sensation Caleb Wilson is out indefinitely with a fracture in his left hand, suffered during the loss at Miami on Feb 10.

Louisville at North Carolina Predictions

Handicapping Factors to Consider 

• Wilson (UNC’s leading scorer, 19.8 PPG, and rebounder, 9.4 RPG) is a massive loss for North Carolina. Consider that he is a high-end NBA prospect.

• The Cardinals provide plus-money upside on the spread or moneyline.

• The Cards have been explosive offensively (high PPG in spots) and competitive in ACC play (8-4), with recent blowout wins showing form.

• Louisville has covered in select road/big games.

• Casual sector money will inflate the North Carolina NCAA basketball spread at home.

Louisville at North Carolina Prime Best Bet: Louisville Cardinals

Louisville at North Carolina Betting Tips

Louisville Cardinals 

• Louisville ranks 24th in scoring offense, 63rd in field goal percentage, 86th in 3-point field goal percentage, 25th in free throw percentage, and 21st in offensive rebounding.

• The Cardinals rank 68^th for scoring defense, 26^th for field goal percentage permitted, 113^th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 125^th for defensive rebounding.

• The Louisville Cardinals are 19-7 straight up, 13-13 against the spread, and 11-15 over/under the total.

• Louisville has covered two out of its last three games.

• The Cardinals have gone over the total in three of their previous four matchups.

North Carolina Tar Heels 

• North Carolina ranks 44th in scoring offense, 50th in field goal percentage, 160th in 3-point field goal percentage, 283rd in free throw percentage, and 24th in offensive rebounding.

• The Tar Heels rank 124^th for scoring defense, 42^nd for field goal percentage permitted, 208^th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 147^th for defensive rebounding.

• The North Carolina Tar Heels are 20-6 straight up, 14-12 against the spread, and 12-14 over/under the total.

• North Carolina has covered five out of their last eight games.

• The Tar Heels have gone under the total in three of their previous four matchups.

Louisville at North Carolina Head-to-Head and Key Stats

• Louisville covered three of its last four games with North Carolina.

• Additionally, all four of those games went under the total.

• Specifically in North Carolina, Louisville covered the spread in five of its last seven visits against the Tar Heels.

• Four of the last five games between the Cardinals and Tar Heels at North Carolina went under the total.