As the first of the fated Tobacco Road games this season fast approaches, Duke finds itself at No. 2 in the country and riding a 14-game winning streak, while North Carolina has completely disappeared from the polls.

Despite 26 points from Donald Hand Jr. and 20 from Dion Brown, the Eagles couldn't hold a 4-point lead with 18 seconds left and fell to the Tar Heels in the Dean Dome.

North Carolina is in the midst of a disappointing season, and there are shortcomings on both sides of the ball.

The Eagles visit the Tar Heels as we continue our college basketball odds series with a Boston College-North Carolina prediction and pick.

North Carolina pushes tempo at one of the fastest paces in the land, looking to score in transition and get high-percentage looks at the rim. The Heels are also very active in the half-court set and fire up plenty of attempts early into the shot clock.

North Carolina faces the Boston College Eagles after RJ Davis scored 21 points in North Carolina's 67-66 loss to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

Along with the Towson men, the Morgan State men and the Mount St. Mary’s and Navy women are battling for berths into the NCAA Tournament.

UNC graduate guard RJ Davis (4) dribbles the ball during a game against Boston College in the Dean E. Smith Center on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. UNC won 102-96 in overtime. Graduate guard RJ Davis said the Tar Heels lacked effort, communication and attention to detail. They struggled to defend ball screens and close out on 3-point shooters.

North Carolina got off the losing skid this past weekend and that's ultimately all that going to matter, for now.