Syracuse Basketball: Ranking the top-10 games for the Orange in 2021-22
By Neil Adler
North Carolina
In 2020-21, the ‘Cuse played in one of the most exciting games of the team’s entire season when it hosted North Carolina in early March, as the regular season neared its conclusion.
The Orange was desperate for a resume-building win, as some bracketologists had Syracuse basketball on the wrong side of the proverbial bubble.
Inside the Dome, the ‘Cuse gutted out a 72-70 victory over UNC, fueled by a monster performance from junior shooting guard Buddy Boeheim.
Without that win, I’m confident that, sadly, Syracuse basketball wouldn’t have made it into the NCAA Tournament field. But the Orange got it done.
Then, they defeated Clemson. And N.C. State in the ACC Tournament. And fell by only three points in heart-breaking fashion to top-seeded Virginia in the ACC tourney. All of this was enough to propel the ‘Cuse into March Madness, where it got to the regional semifinals.
This coming stanza, Syracuse basketball will travel to Chapel Hill, N.C., on Monday, Feb. 28, to face off with UNC. Historically, the Orange has struggled on the road against the Tar Heels.
In fact, all-time, Syracuse basketball is just 6-14 versus North Carolina, and the Tar Heels have pretty much owned the Orange since the ‘Cuse joined the ACC in 2013-14.
Head coach Roy Williams, one of the GOATs who led UNC to three national titles, has retired. Replacing him is Hubert Davis, an assistant coach for the Tar Heels who also played for North Carolina, reaching a Final Four in 1991.
The Tar Heels went 18-11 a year ago, including a 10-6 ACC mark that had them tied for fifth place. As a No. 8 seed in the Big Dance, UNC got pasted by No. 9 seed Wisconsin in the round of 64, 85-62.
Despite Williams’ retirement and uncertainty as to how North Carolina will perform on the court under Davis, UNC’s new head coach is faring quite admirably on the recruiting trail.
And national pundits view the Tar Heels, at least in pre-season projections, as a top-four squad in the ACC, as well as a top-15 to a top-20 overall group.
When Syracuse basketball visits Chapel Hill, the Orange will have a prime opportunity to obtain a coveted road win over an elite league foe, although history says that this will prove a tough feat to transpire.