Predictions, Picks & Best Bets for UNC vs. Syracuse (Feb. 21)
By Jordon Lawrenz in College Basketball
Published:
- No. 16 UNC visits Syracuse on Saturday afternoon
- Syracuse eyes redemption after 10-point loss at UNC on Feb. 2
- Check out my top UNC vs. Syracuse picks and predictions for Saturday
The No. 16 North Carolina Tar Heels put their 20-6 (8-5 ACC) record to the test as they head to the JMA Wireless Dome to take on the 15-12 (6-8 ACC) Syracuse Orange at 1:00 p.m. EST on Saturday afternoon.
UNC took down Syracuse back on February 2, 87-77. To no surprise, the Tar Heels were led by Caleb Wilson in that game with 22 points. Here in the rematch, things could look significantly different.
Wilson’s left hand fracture could be a deciding factor in the Orange making this one competitive. Sure, they’re coming off a horrendous 37 point loss to No. 3 Duke, but prior to that they had won two straight and had a ton of momentum on their side.
UNC vs. Syracuse Picks & Predictions
Syracuse has won three straight home games and a North Carolina team without Wilson looks a lot less dangerous. UNC is especially vulnerable after their embarrassing 82-58 loss to in-state rival NC State. Now, they’re forced to go on the road again in what is set to be their third straight game without Wilson.
The Orange have had four different leading scorers in their past four games which makes things extremely interesting. Even though their defense has given up an average of 84.0 points per game, the Tar Heels haven’t reached that total in any of their last four games.
UNC vs. Syracuse Spread Pick: Syracuse +3.5 (DraftKings)
Both of these teams are coming off brutal losses so it makes it hard to believe either one will look great on Saturday. That said, Syracuse faced the No. 3 in the country and prior to that they were turning things around. As for UNC, they’ve looked lost without Wilson and it’s not like they crushed Syracuse the first time around at home.
UNC has lost two of their last three, most notably with both of those games being played on the road. Knowing they only beat Syracuse by 10 with Wilson in the game, this spread is extremely intriguing, especially with how the Tar Heels just looked at the Lenovo Center.
UNC vs. Syracuse Public-Betting Splits
Heading into Saturday afternoon’s showdown, the college basketball public betting percentages reveal bettors are all over the visiting team.
Moneyline Splits
The general consensus is UNC will put the NC State loss behind them as they are a clear moneyline favorite against this Syracuse squad.
- North Carolina Tar Heels: 83.0% of Bets / 88.0% of Money
- Syracuse Orange: 17.0% of Bets / 12.0% of Money
The Tar Heels are already 1-0 against the Orange this season and it’s clear bettors believe UNC will sweep Syracuse in the 2025-26 regular season.
Over/Under Splits
Even though fans are well aware Syracuse just gave up 101 points to the No. 3 team in the country, that doesn’t mean everyone is smashing the over in this one.
- Over: 63.0% of Bets / 56.0% of Money
- Under: 37.0% of Bets / 44.0% of Money
UNC vs. Syracuse Odds
Saturday’s college basketball odds coin this one to be a much closer contest than the double-digit victory UNC had at the beginning of the month.
- Moneyline: UNC -185 | Syracuse +154
- Point Spread: UNC -3.5 (-110) | Syracuse +3.5 (-110)
- Total: Over/Under 152.5
Odds as of 10:04 am ET, February 20, at DraftKings
Don’t forget about the March Madness Championship Odds which sees UNC at +4000. A loss to Syracuse would set them back even further, though everyone knows Wilson’s impending return could change everything.
