Syracuse (11-14) vs North Carolina (14-11)
February 15, 2025 at 06:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Syracuse +6.5 — Over/Under: 154.5
The North Carolina Tar Heels and Syracuse Orange meet Saturday in college basketball action at the JMA Wireless Dome. Here’s a North Carolina vs Syracuse Prediction. This article will include a North Carolina vs Syracuse Pick.
North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Preview
The North Carolina Tar Heels beat Pitt, lost to Clemson, and they play NC State, Virginia, and Florida State next. The North Carolina Tar Heels are averaging 80 points on 46.9 percent shooting and allowing 76.6 points on 43 percent shooting. RJ Davis is averaging 17.4 points and 3.7 rebounds, while Ian Jackson is averaging 13.3 points and 3.3 rebounds. Seth Trimble is the third double-digit scorer and Elliot Cadeau is grabbing 3.1 rebounds. The North Carolina Tar Heels are shooting 32.3 percent from beyond the arc and 73.7 percent from the free throw line. The North Carolina Tar Heels are allowing 34.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.5 rebounds per game.
Syracuse Orange Betting Preview
The Syracuse Orange beat Boston College, lost to Miami, and they play Pitt, NC State, and Virginia Tech next. The Syracuse Orange are averaging 74.6 points on 45.2 percent shooting and allowing 78.2 points on 45.6 percent shooting. JJ Starling is averaging 18.6 points and 3.8 rebounds, while Donnie Freeman is averaging 13.4 points and 1.4 assists. Eddie Lampkin Jr. is the third double-digit scorer and Chris Bell is dishing 0.5 assists. The Syracuse Orange are shooting 32.1 percent from beyond the arc and 69.3 percent from the free throw line. The Syracuse Orange are allowing 33.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.3 rebounds per game.
Why the Syracuse Orange will win
- Syracuse has won eight of its last nine night games at JMA Wireless Dome against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- North Carolina has lost seven of its last eight road night games against Conference opponents.
Why the North Carolina Tar Heels will win
- North Carolina has won 12 of its last 14 games when playing with a rest advantage.
- Syracuse has lost five of its last six night games against the Atlantic Coast Conference.
- Syracuse has lost the first half in five of its last six night games against Conference opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- North Carolina ranks 48th among Division 1 teams for points per game this season (80.0).
North Carolina vs Syracuse Injury Report
North Carolina doesn’t have a player listed on its injury report. Syracuse will be without Donnie Freeman, while Chance Westry is questionable.
North Carolina vs Syracuse Prediction
Syracuse has seen nine of its 11 wins this season come at home, and North Carolina is having a down year that seems to be getting worse by the week. With losses in three of their last four games, North Carolina continues to get clubbed over the head defensively. However, let’s not act like Syracuse is lighting the world on fire, as the Orange have lost six of their last nine games and the defensive effort takes the night off a lot. I’m not excited to back UNC, but this is a lot of points for a below-average Syracuse team. It’s North Carolina or pass for me.