Syracuse basketball concludes its two-game tour of Atlantic Coast Conference blue-blood programs on Saturday when it has a rematch with No. 16 North Carolina.
This past Monday night, the Orange got thumped at No. 3 Duke, as the 'Cuse suffered its largest margin of defeat since joining the ACC from the Big East Conference during the 2013-14 campaign.
Now the 'Cuse is set to host the Tar Heels, the conference's other blue-blood squad, on Saturday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome. Earlier this month, in Chapel Hill, N.C., the Orange dug a 32-point, second-half hole before mounting a massive comeback attempt. Still, Syracuse basketball would end up falling at UNC by 10 points.
The 'Cuse (15-12 overall, 6-8 in ACC) has four games left in the 2025-26 regular season. Two affairs are at home (UNC and Pittsburgh), and two are on the road (Wake Forest and Louisville). Then comes the ACC Tournament next month in Charlotte, N.C.
Syracuse basketball is nowhere near the bubble for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. For that to change, the Orange would have to go at least 3-1 in its final regular-season contests and then do a whole lot of damage at the ACC Tournament. Even then, it's highly likely that the 'Cuse is going to miss the annual Big Dance for the fifth straight term.
How to watch Syracuse basketball against No. 16 North Carolina on the Hill.
The Tar Heels (20-6 overall, 8-5 in ACC) and the Orange are scheduled to tip off at 1 pm EST on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Dome, with television coverage on ABC. In their all-time series together, the 'Cuse is just 7-19 against UNC.
At the time of this writing, Syracuse basketball's NCAA NET ranking was No. 72 overall, whereas North Carolina's was No. 28. That makes Saturday's affair a quadrant-one opportunity for the Orange. SU is No. 73 via KenPom, while the Tar Heels are No. 32.
We'll have to see what is in the injury reports submitted by both teams to the ACC on Friday evening, but UNC could be without one or two of its top players on Saturday afternoon. That's something to monitor.
For the 2025-26 season, North Carolina averages 80.9 points per game and allows 70.9 points. The Tar Heels also average 38.8 rebounds, 16.5 assists, 5.5 steals, 3.5 blocks and 9.4 turnovers per contest while making 47.0 percent from the field, 69.3 percent from the free-throw line and 33.5 percent from beyond the arc.
Syracuse basketball, meanwhile, scores 76.0 points per encounter and gives up 73.2 points. The 'Cuse averages 34.8 rebounds, 13.1 assists, 6.6 steals, 6.3 blocks and 11.2 turnovers per contest while connecting on 47.1 percent from the field, 63.2 percent from the charity stripe and 33.4 percent from 3-point land.