Ohio State Buckeyes vs North Carolina Tar Heels Picks and Predictions for Saturday December 20 2025

By: Jake Allman Updated 12/20/2025, 12:31 AM ET

Ohio State and North Carolina meet Saturday afternoon in Atlanta with both teams in strong early-season form. The Buckeyes enter at 8-2, while the Tar Heels sit at 10-1 and ranked No. 12. Tip-off is at 3:00 PM ET on CBS from State Farm Arena, making this a true neutral-court test with betting interest split nearly down the middle. ESPN Analytics gives Ohio State a slight edge, but the matchup points to a tight game. March isn’t the only madness — today’s college basketball picks are ready to cash.

Ohio State Preview

Ohio State has been strong with the ball, averaging 87.6 points per game while shooting 51 percent from the field. Bruce Thornton drives everything for the Buckeyes, putting up 21.8 points per game, shooting 60.2% and 86.3% at the line. John Mobley Jr. and Christoph Tilly add balance, giving Ohio State four players averaging at least 13 points. The Buckeyes have won three of the last five, including a double-overtime win over West Virginia, but losses to Illinois and Pitt showed some late-game issues.

On the other end, Ohio State allows 72.9 points per game, which is solid but not strong. Rebounding has been average at 37.3 per contest, and that area matters against a North Carolina team that lives on the glass. Turnovers are not a huge issue for Ohio State, but the Buckeyes can be tested by teams that apply steady half-court pressure and force tougher shots late in possessions.

North Carolina Preview

North Carolina comes in averaging 80.7 points per game while allowing just 64.1, a significant gap that reflects consistency on both ends. Caleb Wilson leads the Tar Heels with 19.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, giving North Carolina a reliable interior presence. Henri Veesaar adds 16.9 points on a strong 64.5 percent shooting, and Kyan Evans runs the offense with 4.3 assists per game. The Tar Heels have won four straight, including a road win at Kentucky, which stands out.

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North Carolina’s ability to control tempo and rebound at a higher rate than Ohio State is a clear edge. The Tar Heels average 42.1 rebounds per game and block shots at nearly double Ohio State’s rate. Those extra possessions and rim protection matter on a neutral floor.

Ohio State vs North Carolina Prediction

North Carolina’s balance and rebounding advantage will show up late. Ohio State keeps it close behind Thornton, but North Carolina finishes stronger. Betting on sports and on Ohio State is easy, but even easier if you use the best sportsbooks. Make sure you know about how the fans are looking on prediction markets for North Carolina with the Novig promo code. Make sure when you place your bet on Ohio State vs North Carolina you are using the BetMGM bonus code.

Pick: North Carolina -1

Projected Final Score: North Carolina 78, Ohio State 74

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