North Carolina vs Ole Miss Prediction 3/21/25 College Basketball Picks

Ole Miss (22-11) vs North Carolina (23-13)

Game Info: Friday, March 21, 2025 at 4:05 pm (Fiserv Forum)

Betting Odds: Ole Miss +1.5 -- Over/Under: 155.5

The Ole Miss VS. UNC

Game Preview!

North Carolina and Ole Miss clash in a highly anticipated first-round March Madness matchup at Fiserv Forum. With the excitement of the tournament in the air, fans and bettors alike are eager to see who will advance. This breakdown will cut straight to the chase, analyzing the odds and key factors to deliver a sharp prediction and the best betting pick for the Tar Heels versus Rebels showdown, aiming to provide a clear and concise insight into this pivotal game.

Matchup/League Facts

• Ole Miss ranks 7th among Division 1 teams for assist to turnover ratio this season (1.66).

• Ole Miss ranks 32nd among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (8.6).

• North Carolina ranks 34th among Division 1 teams for field goal percentage this season (48.0%).

The Ole Miss Team Preview!

Alright, so Ole Miss? They started hot, like, "we're going to the Final Four" hot, beating everyone except Purdue and Memphis. Then, bam! SEC play hit, and it was a rollercoaster. Tough conference games sent them on a losing streak, then they'd bounce back with a few wins, then another slump. Basically, they've been all over the place, finishing 22-11. In their last game against Auburn, they were down at halftime and couldn't quite catch up, losing by five. Couple guys scored 12, but it wasn't enough. They've been streaky, to say the least, making them a wild card for this matchup.

The UNC Team Preview!

North Carolina's season? A bit of a bumpy ride, but they generally held their own against a tough schedule. They started strong, hit a few rough patches with losses to conference rivals, then went on a solid win streak. Ended the regular season with a Duke loss, but bounced back in the ACC tournament, then won their First Four game against San Diego State, putting them at 23-13. In their dominant win over San Diego State, they poured in points, with RJ Davis leading the charge with a cool 26. So, they've shown they can be hot and cold, but they're coming into this game off a big win, which could give them momentum.

The Ole Miss & UNC Game Prediction!

THE PICK: Ole Miss ML -105

North Carolina, despite a few mid-season stumbles against tough opponents, has proven they can ignite when it matters, blasting San Diego State with a dominant 95-68 victory fueled by RJ Davis's 26-point explosion. Ole Miss, on the other hand, displayed early promise but struggled with consistency in the demanding SEC, riding a rollercoaster of wins and losses. While Ole Miss's 22-11 record is respectable, their recent inconsistency and inability to close out against Auburn raises concerns. North Carolina, boasting a 23-13 record and fresh off a statement win, carries the momentum and firepower, making them the compelling pick in this matchup.