North Carolina Defeats Syracuse 87-77 at Home
Monday, February 2, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Dean E. Smith Center
North Carolina Tar Heels 87, Syracuse Orange 77, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Syracuse Orange vs North Carolina Tar Heels?
North Carolina Tar Heels beat Syracuse Orange 87-77 at Dean E. Smith Center on February 2, 2026.
Who was favored in Syracuse Orange vs North Carolina Tar Heels?
North Carolina Tar Heels were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -750 (about 88% implied). The favorite won.
In a competitive matchup, the North Carolina Tar Heels secured a victory against the Syracuse Orange, finishing the game with a score of 87-77. This win adds to North Carolina's impressive home record, which now stands at 19-4 for the season. The Tar Heels have been in solid form, winning three consecutive games leading up to this contest and averaging 85.4 points scored while allowing 77.1 points over their last ten games.
North Carolina's recent performance has been noteworthy, particularly at their home venue, the Dean E. Smith Center, where they have maintained an undefeated record of 4-0 in their last four home games. Their scoring average at home has been particularly high, with an average of 87.0 points scored in their last five games, indicating a potent offensive unit. In contrast, Syracuse has struggled on the road, with a record of 2-2 in their last four away games. Overall, the Orange have a season record of 13-11, with a scoring average of 77.4 points and an average of 74.4 points allowed in their last ten games.
The two teams had met once before in the 2025 season, where North Carolina emerged victorious with a score of 88-82 in a closely contested game. This prior meeting may have set the tone for the current matchup, as North Carolina looked to assert their dominance at home. The Tar Heels' ability to perform well in high-pressure situations has been a hallmark of their recent performances, and they continued that trend against Syracuse.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details on player availability for either team, but it is a critical factor that often influences game outcomes. The absence of key players can significantly alter a team's performance, especially in a tightly contested league like NCAAB.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had North Carolina favored by 11.5 points, with a total set at 158.5 for the game. This indicates a strong expectation for North Carolina's offensive capabilities, as well as a belief in their defensive strength to contain Syracuse's scoring.
Conditions during the game were typical for a February evening in North Carolina, with a lively crowd at the Dean E. Smith Center contributing to the atmosphere. Fans were treated to an exciting display of basketball, characterized by high scoring and competitive play.
Key moments in the game included significant scoring plays from both teams, with notable contributions from players like Nate Kingz, who made crucial three-pointers in the second half, and Seth Trimble, who helped seal the victory with free throws in the closing moments. The final quarter was marked by a back-and-forth scoring exchange, but North Carolina's ability to maintain composure and execute under pressure ultimately led to their success.
As the game concluded, North Carolina's home win probability was recorded at 1.0, reflecting their strong performance and dominance throughout the contest. The victory not only boosts their confidence but also solidifies their position within the league as they continue to pursue their goals for the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UNC -11.5 | 158.5 o -108 / u -112 | Syracuse Orange +525 · North Carolina Tar Heels -750 |
Leaders
- PointsCaleb Wilson22North Carolina Tar Heels
- AssistsHenri Veesaar4North Carolina Tar Heels
- ReboundsHenri Veesaar11North Carolina Tar Heels
- PointsDonnie Freeman23Syracuse Orange
- AssistsNaithan George4Syracuse Orange
- ReboundsDonnie Freeman8Syracuse Orange
Recent form
North Carolina Tar Heels
Last 10: 7-3Streak W385.4 scored · 77.1 allowed per game4-0 at home
- W91-75at Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsJan 31
- W85-80at Virginia CavaliersJan 24
- W91-69vs Notre Dame Fighting IrishJan 22
- L78-84at California Golden BearsJan 17
- L90-95at Stanford CardinalJan 15
- W87-84vs Wake Forest Demon DeaconsJan 10
- L83-97at SMU MustangsJan 3
- W79-66vs Florida State SeminolesDec 31
- W99-51vs East Carolina PiratesDec 23
- W71-70at Ohio State BuckeyesDec 20
Syracuse Orange
Last 10: 5-5Streak W177.4 scored · 74.4 allowed per game2-2 away
- W86-72vs Notre Dame Fighting IrishJan 31
- L68-88at NC State WolfpackJan 28
- L76-85vs Miami HurricanesJan 24
- L74-76vs Virginia Tech HokiesJan 22
- L73-81at Boston College EaglesJan 17
- W94-86vs Florida State SeminolesJan 14
- W83-72at Pittsburgh PanthersJan 10
- W82-72at Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsJan 7
- L61-64vs Clemson TigersDec 31
- W77-48vs Stonehill SkyhawksDec 23
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | 35-3 | - | 17-1 |
| Virginia | 30-6 | 2 | 15-3 |
| Miami | 26-9 | 4 | 13-5 |
| North Carolina | 24-9 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Clemson | 24-11 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Louisville | 24-11 | 6 | 11-7 |
| NC State | 20-14 | 7 | 10-8 |
| Florida State | 18-15 | 7 | 10-8 |
| California | 22-12 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Stanford | 20-13 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Virginia Tech | 19-13 | 9 | 8-10 |
| SMU | 20-14 | 9 | 8-10 |
| Wake Forest | 18-17 | 10 | 7-11 |
| Syracuse | 15-17 | 11 | 6-12 |
| Pittsburgh | 13-20 | 12 | 5-13 |
| Notre Dame | 13-18 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Boston College | 11-20 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Georgia Tech | 11-20 | 15 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Syracuse Orange | North Carolina Tar Heels |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 29-65 | 27-56 |
| Field goal % | 45 | 48 |
| Three-pointers | 6-18 | 8-18 |
| Three-point % | 33 | 44 |
| Free throws | 13-19 | 25-35 |
| Free throw % | 68 | 71 |
| Rebounds | 31 | 41 |
| Offensive rebounds | 11 | 12 |
| Defensive rebounds | 20 | 29 |
| Assists | 7 | 16 |
| Steals | 6 | 3 |
| Blocks | 8 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 11 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 12 | 9 |
| Fast-break points | 8 | 10 |
| Points in the paint | 38 | 34 |
| Fouls | 24 | 19 |
| Largest lead | 2 | 32 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 1 | 95 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half38-63Luka Bogavac makes 25-foot three point jumper (Seth Trimble assists)
- 2nd Half40-63J.J. Starling makes layup
- 2nd Half40-65Luka Bogavac makes driving layup
- 2nd Half40-66Luka Bogavac makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half40-67Jonathan Powell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half40-69Henri Veesaar makes 6-foot dunk (Luka Bogavac assists)
- 2nd Half40-72Jonathan Powell makes 22-foot three point jumper (Henri Veesaar assists)
- 2nd Half41-72Donnie Freeman makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half43-72Kiyan Anthony makes layup
- 2nd Half43-74Henri Veesaar makes 0-foot tip in dunk
- 2nd Half45-74Donnie Freeman makes layup (J.J. Starling assists)
- 2nd Half45-75Caleb Wilson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half45-76Caleb Wilson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-76Naithan George makes 24-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half50-76Naithan George makes 7-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half50-77Caleb Wilson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-77Naithan George makes 14-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half53-77Kiyan Anthony makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-77Kiyan Anthony makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-78Henri Veesaar makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-78Ibrahim Souare makes layup (Nate Kingz assists)
- 2nd Half58-78Kiyan Anthony makes layup
- 2nd Half60-78Kiyan Anthony makes layup
- 2nd Half60-80Henri Veesaar makes layup (Jarin Stevenson assists)
- 2nd Half62-80Ibrahim Souare makes layup (Naithan George assists)
- 2nd Half64-80Donnie Freeman makes layup
- 2nd Half66-80William Kyle III makes 4-foot dunk (Nate Kingz assists)
- 2nd Half66-81Derek Dixon makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-82Derek Dixon makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-82J.J. Starling makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half68-82J.J. Starling makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half69-82J.J. Starling makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half72-82Nate Kingz makes 24-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half75-82Nate Kingz makes 25-foot three point jumper (Naithan George assists)
- 2nd Half75-83Seth Trimble makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-83J.J. Starling makes 8-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half77-84Jarin Stevenson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-85Jarin Stevenson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-86Seth Trimble makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-87Seth Trimble makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours North Carolina Tar Heels, below favours Syracuse Orange.
Venue
- Dean E. Smith CenterChapel Hill, NC
- Attendance20152
- OfficialsLee Cassell, Bert Smith, Tony Henderson
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond