Stanford vs North Carolina Picks and Prediction – 1/18/2025

The North Carolina Tar Heels (12-6, 5-1 ACC) are set to host the Stanford Cardinal (11-6, 3-3 ACC) on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The game is scheduled to tip off at 2:15 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on the CW Network. Get in on the action with our free NCAAB picks.

North Carolina enters the matchup as a 10.5-point favorite, with an over/under set at 158.5 points. The Tar Heels have been dominant at home, boasting a 20-game winning streak in day games at the Dean E. Smith Center. They are led by guard RJ Davis, who averages 17.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. Freshman guard Elliot Cadeau contributes significantly with 5.9 assists per game, furthering their balanced offensive attack.

Stanford, on the other hand, has faced challenges on the road, losing each of its last three away games. The Cardinal are led by senior forward Maxime Raynaud, who averages 20.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, providing a dominant presence in the paint. Senior guard Jaylen Blakes adds 14.5 points and 5.2 assists per game, showcasing his dual threat as a scorer and facilitator. The Cardinal will need to address their defensive lapses on the road to challenge North Carolina effectively.

This non-conference matchup provides an opportunity for both teams to bolster their résumés. North Carolina aims to extend its home dominance, while Stanford seeks a statement win on the road. Ultimately, this UNC team is a bit of a flake, and this is too many points. We think UNC wins, but Stanford covers 81-74.