Inside the Loud House
Fansided

Syracuse Basketball: North Carolina Tar Heels crystal ball predictions

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 26: Nassir Little #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels shoots a foul shot during a game against the Syracuse Orange on February 26, 2019 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 93-85. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 26: Nassir Little #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels shoots a foul shot during a game against the Syracuse Orange on February 26, 2019 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 93-85. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 7
Next

Paul A. Esden Jr, Site Expert (15-13)

This is the scariest game remaining on the regular-season schedule for the Orange.

While on the surface North Carolina is terrible, don’t judge a book by its cover. UNC is still a super talented team that is capable of beating anyone.

The Tar Heels have lost 7 of their last 8 games, but when you dig deeper the majority of those games came down to the bitter end.

But a fair question to ponder does UNC have anything to play for?

The Tar Heels literally only have one and only one chance at the NCAA Tournament and that’s by winning the ACC Tourney. This means to put it bluntly the regular season games are meaningless for North Carolina.

While on the other side of the coin, Syracuse actually has a path, whether you believe it or not, to win out these remaining games in the regular season combined with an ACC Tourney run. If those things happen it’s conceivable that Syracuse could get an at large bid without winning their conference tournament.

It won’t be easy, but it’s possible.

Rebounding in this one will be key, UNC isn’t as good as it usually is, but they’re good enough. Buddy Boeheim is a game-time decision and may not play which means Jim Boeheim will be forced to mess around with his lineup.

Expect to see some Elijah Hughes at the two and thus the Orange overall can play small ball if they want and really mix things up. Brycen Goodine has shown some signs so it would be great to see him get some run.

Regardless this game is going to come down to the very end. Give me Syracuse 71-66 over the Tar Heels.

Home/Syracuse Basketball