Louisville vs UNC Odds, Spread, and Totals
As the college basketball season approaches the all-important month of March, there is still plenty on the line in the ACC. Much of that will be demonstrated in Monday’s matchup…
As the college basketball season approaches the all-important month of March, there is still plenty on the line in the ACC. Much of that will be demonstrated in Monday's matchup between the 21st-ranked Louisville Cardinals and the 16th-ranked UNC Tar Heels. If the Tar Heels are to have any chance of finishing near the top of the conference, they must pull off a home victory against the Cardinals, who are currently one spot ahead of them in the standings.
While Louisville does lead UNC in the standings, it has had a significantly easier schedule throughout the campaign. The Cardinals have not faced a ranked opponent since they ran into Duke nearly a month ago in a game that ended in a one-sided 83-52 drubbing in favor of the Blue Devils. Since that loss, the Cardinals have won six of their seven contests, with their best victory coming against NC State, a unit that recently demolished the shorthanded Tar Heels on the road.
A fully healthy UNC team would almost certainly enter this game as a substantial favorite, but head coach Hubert Davis will be without at least one of his star players on Monday. Forward Caleb Wilson, who paces the team in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks per game, is still recovering from a broken hand, leaving the Tar Heels without much of their scoring punch. Center Henri Veesaar is also on the injury report, but will likely take the court as he did in UNC's last game against Syracuse, a contest in which he led the team 19 points. Veesaar will need a similar performance to keep the Tar Heels from suffering their third loss in their last five games.
Spread
- Louisville -2.5 (+100)
- UNC +2.5 (-108)
Money line
- Louisville -122
- UNC +118
Totals
- Over 162.5 (-104)
- Under 162.5 (-108)
Note: The above data was collected on Feb. 23 2026, and may have changed since writing.
Louisville vs UNC Betting Trends
- The Cardinals are 2-4 ATS in their last six games.
- The Cardinals are 2-3 ATS in their last five road games.
- The over is 3-2 in Louisville's last five contests.
- UNC is 2-2 ATS in its recent stretch of games without Wilson.
- UNC is 3-2 ATS in their last five games.
- The under is 4-1 in the Tar Heels' last five games.
Louisville vs UNC Injury Reports
Louisville Cardinals
- No injuries of note.
UNC Tar Heels
- Henri Veesaar, C - Probable.
- Caleb Wilson, F - Out.
- James Brown, C - Out.
- Ivan Matlekovic, C - Out.
Louisville vs UNC Prediction and Pick
Even with Veesaar in the lineup, it is hard to see the Tar Heels keeping things close enough to cover this spread. The Cardinals are healthy and rolling, and this is the biggest matchup remaining on their schedule, so they should come in highly prepared and especially motivated. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels are looking for a way to right the ship and string together two wins in a row for the first time since Wilson's injury. Louisville will take advantage of the situation to climb up the rankings with a win and a cover.
