#19 Kansas vs. #25 North Carolina Picks and Predictions: Blue Blooded Battle

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Bill Self has nearly an 80% winning rate as the head coach of Kansas - Kansas Duke Picks

Two of the biggest blue bloods in the sport of NCAA Basketball go head to head tonight, as the No. 19 ranked Kansas Jayhawks head to Chapel Hill to take on the No. 25 North Carolina Tar Heels. Both teams won in blowout fashion to start their season on Monday, scoring 94 points each while leaving their opponent in the 50s. But now they get a true test against a worthy opponent. Let’s get into our favorite picks in this blue blooded battle to see who will come out on top.

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#19 Kansas Jayhawks vs. #25 North Carolina Tar Heels NCAA Basketball Insights

These two teams met last year at Allen Fieldhouse, where the Jayhawks were victorious. However, after leading by 15 at halftime with 53 points, the Tar Heels came screaming back in the second half to only lose by three. They ended up covering the +7.5 spread, but would’ve liked to have a revenge victory over the team that beat them in the 2022 National Championship. Tonight they can do exactly that, but it won’t come easy.

The Jayhawks are led by freshman Darryn Peterson who will be a matchup nightmare for the Tar Heels. At a versatile 6’6″, Peterson is way too fast to be guarded by either transfer Jarin Stevenson or freshman Caleb Wilson who both stand at 6’10”. But he is also way too big to be guarded by a 6’3″ Seth Trimble or a 6’2″ Kyan Evans. The Tar Heels will need to figure out a way to stop the freshman phenom who put up 21 points, four rebounds and three assists on 63.6% shooting and 42.9% from beyond the arc in his first collegiate contest.

Peterson was 4/4 from the stripe and only had one turnover as well.

Matchup Information – Kansas vs. North Carolina – November 7

  • Venue & Location: Dean E. Smith Center (Chapel Hill, NC)
  • Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
  • Kick Off: 7:00 p.m. Eastern
  • Broadcast: ESPN

Kansas vs. North Carolina Betting Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of November 7, 2025 at 11:16 a.m. eastern. Sign up today with Promo Code BNBOL55 for a 55% deposit bonus. BetOnline offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.

Spread

  • Kansas +2.5 (-110)
  • North Carolina -2.5 (-110)

Moneyline

  • Kansas +128
  • North Carolina -148

Total

  • Over 158.5 (-105)
  • Under 158.5 (-115)

#19 Kansas vs. #25 North Carolina NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions

Darryn Peterson is wowing NBA scouts already this year - Kansas North Carolina Picks

Darryn Peterson is wowing NBA scouts already this year

Kansas vs. North Carolina Prediction: Kansas Wins Outright, Under 158.5

Best Bet: Kansas +2.5 (-110) BetOnline

Get a better number than I did, because I jumped the gun on +2 last night. However, I think the Jayhawks win outright.

Yes, I am a Jayhawks fan, have been my whole life, so take everything with a grain of salt. But unlike with my Chiefs’ takes, I’ll admit I can be much more level headed with Bill Self and the Jayhawks (as I bet Arkansas ML in the first round of the tournament last season). Kansas will try to slow this game down, limiting the possessions the Tar Heels see while taking full advantage of their own.

The Jayhawks are the much deeper team, who will likely have a regular nine man rotation. The Tar Heels are going to play just six dudes a majority of the time. Kansas took incredible care of the basketball in their last game, with only three total turnovers. If Carolina is unable to disrupt their offense, the Jayhawks should be able to do anything they please on that end of the floor.

Defensively, I think the Jayhawks matchup much better, and the bottom line for me, is coaching. Anyone with half a brain would take Bill Self over Hubert Davis, and tonight on the road I see Self showing Carolina who the real Chapel Bill is (cause it sure as heck ain’t Belichick).

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