Orange Aim for Historic First Victory at Dean Dome: Syracuse vs. UNC Odds & Predictions

North Carolina vs Syracuse: ACC Clash Preview

Ranked No. 7, the North Carolina Tar Heels are looking to extend their five-game winning streak as they host Syracuse this Saturday. The game will be broadcasted live on ESPN at noon ET.

Currently topping the ACC standings, the Tar Heels (12-3 SU, 9-6 ATS) are undefeated in conference play, boasting a 4-0 record. On the other hand, the Syracuse Orange (11-4 SU, 7-8 ATS) have a balanced 2-2 record in ACC play under their new coach, Adrian Autry.

Since their induction to the ACC in 2014, Syracuse has never managed to defeat North Carolina at the Dean E. Smith Center. This article delves into the Syracuse vs. North Carolina odds and predictions for the upcoming Saturday game in Chapel Hill.

Syracuse vs. North Carolina Betting Odds: Spread, Moneyline, and Total

Here are the live odds for the Orange vs. Tar Heels game on the top sports betting apps:

In the updated rankings, UNC is ranked ninth by KenPom, while Syracuse is placed at the 76th spot. 

Syracuse Basketball News: Strong Start to Post-Boeheim Era Under Adrian Autry

After a magnificent 47-year career, legendary head coach Jim Boeheim retired last season and Syracuse inaugurated former Orange guard Adrian Autry as his successor.

Most of Syracuse’s losses have come against highly ranked teams, including No. 7 Tennessee, No. 11 Gonzaga, Virginia, and No. 14 Duke.

Syracuse is coming off a 69-59 victory over Boston College, despite being without their 7-foot-4 junior center Naheem McLeod, who’s likely to miss the UNC game as well. This situation puts a lot of pressure on Syracuse sophomore Maliq Brown, who will be tasked to defend against North Carolina’s Armando Bacot, the ACC’s leading rebounder.

Looking at a common opponent, North Carolina won against Tennessee earlier this season while Syracuse lost to the Volunteers at the Maui Invitational.

Find the Best: Sports Betting Bonuses

North Carolina Basketball News: Tar Heels Show Strength in Experience and Depth

Bacot, in his fifth season with North Carolina, leads a group of experienced players. Senior guard RJ Davis, who has played in a national championship game, is another veteran on the team. He leads the Tar Heels with 20.3 points per game and is the ACC’s best free-throw shooter at 95.08%.

This year’s North Carolina team stands out due to its depth and quality supporting cast, which includes players like Stanford transfer Harrison Ingram and Notre Dame transfer Cormac Ryan.

The balanced team, with a top-30 offense nationally, averages 82.5 points, whereas their defense allows just under 70 points per game.

For more: College Basketball Betting Odds

Syracuse vs. North Carolina Game Prediction

North Carolina’s defensive strategy will focus on Mintz, who is Syracuse’s primary source of scoring. However, the Tar Heels, and Bacot specifically, pose a major challenge for the Orange. Going by recent form, North Carolina should secure a comfortable victory. Syracuse has struggled to keep the scoreline close in their losses against three ranked teams and Virginia.

Predicted Winner: North Carolina