The UNC Tar Heels take on the Michigan State Spartans in Fort Myers, FL, in the Fort Myers Tip-Off. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
Michigan State is favored by -2.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -150. The total is set at 150.5 points.
Here’s my UNC vs. Michigan State prediction and college basketball picks for November 27, 2025.
UNC vs Michigan State Prediction
My Pick: Michigan State -2.5 (Play to -3)
My UNC vs Michigan State best bet is on the Spartans to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
UNC vs. Michigan State Odds
| UNC Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 150.5 -110o / -110u | +125 |
| Michigan State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 150.5 -110o / -110u | -150 |
- UNC vs Michigan State spread: Michigan State -2.5
- UNC vs Michigan State over/under: 150.5 points
- UNC vs Michigan St moneyline: UNC +125, Michigan State -150
UNC vs Michigan State College Basketball Betting Preview
UNC Basketball
It's an important year for Hubert Davis and company, and thus far, UNC has gotten off to a good start.
The Tar Heels beat Kansas at home by 13 to begin the season and have taken care of business in the rest of their games to date against lesser opponents.
Thursday represents another chance for UNC to notch a big resume win and will also serve as a litmus test for where exactly this team is at.
North Carolina currently checks in inside the top 40 both offensively and defensively in KenPom's efficiency rankings. Carolina also ranks top-five in opponent shooting percentage, a sign of a much-improved defensive team from last season.
Caleb Wilson was one of the most hyped freshmen entering the season, and he's certainly lived up to the billing thus far. The youngster is taking over games on both sides of the floor and is a load in the paint.
Center Henri Veesaar transferred over from Arizona and is a bit of throwback big that can really alter shots. He can also knock down mid-range jump shots on the offensive end.
Seth Trimble has been up-and-down throughout his time in Chapel Hill, but when he plays with poise and consistency, it takes the ceiling of this Carolina team up a couple of notches. The problem is he's been out with an arm injury as of late.
Michigan State really attacks the offensive glass hard, so for UNC to have a chance to win this one, it'll need to make a concentrated effort to box out and grab the ball.
This will also be an interesting contrast in tempo, with the Tar Heels looking to play fast, and Michigan State typically forcing its opponents to play more in the half-court. If it becomes a slower game, the Heels will need to have the discipline to wait for the right shot.
Michigan State Basketball
The more things change the more they stay the same in East Lansing.
Tom Izzo has once again put together a quality basketball team that's physical, rebounds well and has veteran players.
This season, many of those veterans reside in the frontcourt, with both Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper being guys that have been through the wars in Big Ten play.
Izzo also returns sophomore Jeremy Fears Jr., who's playing at an elite level and is someone who can make a play with the ball in his hands late in the shot clock.
Then there's junior Coen Carr, who's typically the most athletic player on the floor in any contest the Spartans are involved in and can impact the game in a bunch of different ways.
As has been the case for most of the time in East Lansing, it starts on the defensive end of the floor. The Spartans rank eighth nationally in Ken Pom's adjusted defensive efficiency rankings and are also holding opponents to one shot a trip.
If Michigan State can get a little bit more outside shooting as the season goes on, this team has the potential to compete for a Big Ten Championship and make noise in the NCAA Tournament.
UNC vs. Michigan State Betting Analysis
This is an exciting matchup between two teams that are both still undefeated as the calendar nears the turn to December.
North Carolina and Michigan State have had plenty of blockbuster matchups over the years, and Thanksgiving Day could be another one.
When breaking down this matchup, I give the edge to the Spartans because of how they're playing on the defensive end.
Michigan State has the ability to make things very difficult for the Tar Heels in the half-court, and on the other side of the floor, I don't see UNC being able to create the same level of resistance.
Look for the Spartans' depth to win out over time, and they should have the edge on the backboards as well.
Give me Michigan State to win and cover as a short favorite in what should be a fun one in Fort Myers.
My Pick: Michigan State -2.5 (Play to 3)
