Sweet 16: Marquette Golden Eagles (11) vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (2) Fri. March 25, 2011 7:15 p.m. EST

A couple of years ago, head coach Roy Williams was able to make the North Carolina Tar Heels (2) one of the best college basketball teams in the country once again as he guide the Tar Heels to the National Championship and came away with the NCAA title.

Unfortunately, just one year later, North Carolina lost some of their best players to the NBA and was unable to compete with the best of the best in college basketball. As a result, the Tar Heels missed the NCAA Tournament altogether and had to settle for the NIT. Even though playing in the NIT is a big difference when compared to the NCAA Tournament, Roy Williams was able to motivate his squad to win a NIT title.

This season the North Carolina Tar Heels (2) were able to get back on track and become a legitimate NCAA title contender once again. Even though they were unable to clinch a number one seed in the 2011 NCAA Tournament, the Tar Heels got the second seed and haven’t disappointed as they have one two consecutive games to get into the Sweet 16.

Coming into the Sweet 16, North Carolina (2) will take on one of just two Big East teams left in the 2011 NCAA Tournament in the Marquette Golden Eagles (11). Despite the Golden Eagles playing in arguably the best college basketball conference in the country, I believe they won’t stand much of a chance against the Tar Heels on Friday night.

As of right now, North Carolina (2) is the favorites with a -5 point spread. That sounds like a sure bet to me!

Take the Tar Heels at -5.

Leading online sportsbooks show the following odds and spreads on this game:

Bodog Sportsbook:
Spread: Marquette Golden Eagles +5 & North Carolina Tar Heels -5
Moneyline: Marquette Golden Eagles +170 & North Carolina Tar Heels -200
Over/Under: Marquette Golden Eagles 110 North Carolina Tar Heels 110 under (150)

Bookmaker Sportsbook:
Spread: Marquette Golden Eagles +4.5 & North Carolina Tar Heels -4.5
Moneyline: Marquette Golden Eagles +175 & North Carolina Tar Heels -205
Over/Under: Marquette Golden Eagles 110 North Carolina Tar Heels 110 under (150.5)

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