NCAAB Odds & Betting Tips: Ohio State vs UNC

The second half of the CBS Sports Classic features a Big Ten/ACC matchup between powerhouse programs Ohio State and North Carolina, who bring a combined 18-3 record into the contest. The teams have been a part of the event since its inception in 2014 playing three times previously, with the Buckeyes in search of their first tournament win over UNC.

Ohio State vs. North Carolina Preview

The Ohio State Buckeyes and North Carolina Tar Heels will meet for the fourth time in the CBS Sports Classic with the game scheduled for Saturday, December 20, 2025 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. ET with television coverage on CBS.

Public Betting Odds Factors

The Buckeyes cruised through their early non-conference schedule winning their first six games with four of them decided by more than 20 points. Only one game – a 64-63 win over Notre Dame – was closer than 16 points.

A more difficult schedule over the last few weeks brought the first losses of the season. OSU is 2-2 in its last four outings with no margin larger than 8 points. The Buckeyes are 1-3 against the college basketball odds in that span.

The Buckeyes have prolific scorers in Bruce Thornton, John Mobley Jr. and Devin Royal, but the trio has yet to click in the same game. Thornton has been the most consistent of the bunch scoring in double figures every game with two 30-point outings. Mobley and Royal each average more than 13 points but have dealt with injuries and inconsistent play.

Ohio State has scored at least 80 points in five of its last six games and is third in the Big Ten averaging 87.6 points. They went OVER the total in their last three games and in four of the last five.

UNC has the highest winning percentage of any team in the CBS Sports Classic and is 3-0 SU and ATS against the Buckeyes in the tournament winning the most recent tilt 89-84 as a 2.5-point favorite in 2022.

Since their only loss of the season to Michigan State on Thanksgiving the Tar Heels are 4-0 with three payouts winning their last three games by an average of 19 points.

Reinforcements are on the way with Seth Trimble nearing a return. A four-year member of the program, Trimble hasn’t played since the second game of the season due to injury. He averaged 14.5 points in those two contests and is arguably the team’s best perimeter defender.

Defense hasn’t been a problem for the Heels, who haven’t allowed more than 74 points in a game. They are second in the ACC giving up 64.1 points per game and have cashed the UNDER in five straight games.

Ohio State vs. North Carolina Predictions

The Heels are one of the best defensive teams in the country even without perhaps their best defender. The expected return of Trimble not only gives UNC an additional scoring threat it also provides them with a strong defensive option.

That’s something the Heels will need to contain OSU’s leading scorer Bruce Thornton, who tallied 57 points the last two games and averages more than 21 points. UNC’s pressure will keep the score UNDER the total.

Ohio State vs. North Carolina Betting Tips

OSU’s last four games were decided by a total of 14 points with the Buckeyes going 1-3 ATS. They are 1-2 ATS in three road/neutral site games.

The third-highest scoring team in the Big Ten, OSU has cashed the OVER in three straight and four of their last five games.

A slower pace has UNC as one of the better defensive clubs in the country. They allow the second-fewest points in the ACC and have gone UNDER the total in five straight games. They are 9-2 against the UNDER overall.