Story by
UNC holds off late Syracuse charge, wins fourth straight Monday night
- Story by
- UNC holds off late Syracuse charge, wins fourth straight Monday night
The North Carolina Tar Heels finally returned home Monday night, hosting the Syracuse Orange in an early-week ACC matchup.
Monday gave UNC another opportunity to secure a massive win against a conference opponent , particularly with Duke looming on Saturday.
Advertisement
North Carolina struggled to break away from Syracuse early, but a late first-half spurt and dominant second half led to a blowout win. The Tar Heels won, 87-77, for their fourth-straight victory as they continue climbing the ACC standings.
UNC (18-4, 6-3 ACC) played a fast, aggressive style of basketball throughout, leading to a multitude of free throw trips. North Carolina converted on 25 of its 35 (71 percent) of its opportunities, a welcomed sign considering season-long struggles.
Defense, particularly from deep, helped the Tar Heels continue their hot streak. UNC limited Syracuse (13-10, 4-6 ACC), to a cool, 6-of-18 (33%) mark on 3-pointers. North Carolina enjoyed a solid perimeter shooting night itself, making 8-of-18 attempts (44%), including a game-high three from Jonathan Powell (12 points) off the bench.
Henri Veesaar registered a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double, surpassing Caleb Wilson for most in the ACC. Wilson netted the Tar Heels' first four points tonight, ending his game with a team-best 22.
Advertisement
Luka Bogavac added 10 points off the bench, continuing to prove himself as a top option Hubert Davis can plug-and-play anywhere . UNC shared the basketball well, recording 16 assists to just seven for the Orange.
Syracuse made a late push, closing its gap to seven points late – and Donnie Freeman enjoyed a career night (23 points, eight rebounds). North Carolina held off that late charge, won its fourth-straight and now sets up a can't-miss showdown with Duke on Saturday.
FINAL: UNC 87, Syracuse 77
North Carolina watched a 30-point lead dwindle all the way down to six, but held on for an 87-77 victory.
Advertisement
The Tar Heels, now winners of four straight, have tons of momentum heading into Saturday's Tobacco Road Rivalry showdown with Duke.
UNC lead nearly 30 at under-8 media timeout
The Tar Heels lead Syracuse, 75-45, with 7:30 left in the second half.
Bucket hat Roy Williams is a vibe
Jonathan Powell three...UNC lead up to 30 points!
Powell now has 12 points off the bench. His latest bucket, a 3-pointer, extends UNC's lead to 72-40.
How hot of a second-half start?
UNC already has 23 points in the second half. The Tar Heels totaled 46 first-half points.
WOW! UNC lead nearly 30 points
The Tar Heels are in full control of tonight's game, leading 69-40 here in the second half, after a Henri Veesaar dunk.
Advertisement
North Carolina has a 69-40 lead with 11:45 left in the second half.
Big second half start for Luka Bogavac!
Luka Bogavac has the Tar Heels' last eight points. UNC is now up 66-40 on Syracuse, with approximately 13 minutes left in regulation.
Tar Heels up 18 at second half's under-16 media timeout
UNC carries a 56-38 advantage into the under-16 media timeout, which comes with 15:53 left in regulation.
Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar have all 10 of the Tar Heels' second-half points.
Henri Veesaar dunk gives UNC a 20-point lead!
Henri Veesaar collected himself and threw down a 2-handed dunk in traffic, giving UNC its first 20-point lead at 56-36.
Advertisement
Another big first half for Caleb Wilson
Caleb Wilson has 13 first-half points, leading all UNC scorers. Wilson is 4-of-7 from the field, plus an impressive 5-of-6 on free throws.
UNC shooting the ball efficiently in first half
The Tar Heels are shooting an electric, 53 percent (16-of-30) overall from the field through 20 minutes, including a 55% (6-of-11) mark from deep.
Syracuse isn't too far behind, shooting 44% overall and 50% from deep.
Jonathan Powell and Donnie Freeman exchange threes heading into half
Jonathan Powell had himself quite a first half, scoring eight points. Powell's final three came on a perimeter make from the corner, just before halftime.
Advertisement
Syracuse star Donnie Freeman answered Powell's three with one of his own, banking one off the backboard with time expiring.
UNC takes a 46-32 lead into halftime.
UNC with a quick nine to extend its lead!
The Tar Heels are now scorching, scoring nine straight points and extend their lead to 43-29 over Syracuse.
28.5 seconds left in the first half.
Syracuse red-hot from the floor
The Orange are seven of their last seven from the floor, trailing UNC just 34-29 at the under-4 media timeout.
An encouraging sign early
Caleb Wilson made his past four free throws, giving UNC a 9-point lead. The Tar Heels struggle with their free chances as a team.
Advertisement
Two straight threes...ANOTHER Syracuse timeout!
Henri Veesaar and Jonathan Powell drain threes on consecutive UNC possessions, extend a lead to 23-12 just past halfway in the first half.
Two MADE free throws, 7-point UNC lead, timeout!
UNC takes a 17-10 lead into a Syracuse timeout halfway through the opening 20 minutes.
The order is in...a Derek Dixon 3-pointer!
UNC up four points at under-12 media timeout
The Tar Heels broke the double-digit point threshold – and now lead Syracuse, 12-8, at the under-12 media timeout with1 1:29 left in first-half action.
UNC keeps an early, 4-2 lead even with cold shooting
The Tar Heels carry a slim, 4-2 lead over Syracuse at the under-16 media timeout. Both UNC and the Orange are shooting a combined, 3-of-12 (25 percent) from the field.
Advertisement
Caleb Wilson scores UNC's first four points
Thanks to a dunk in the opening minutes, followed by an easy layup, Caleb Wilson scored the Tar Heels' first four points.
UNC leads Syracuse, 4-2.
The UNC basketball history is mesmorizing
Caleb Wilson...still a man of the people
Caleb Wilson now has the UNC record for most 20-point games by a freshman, breaking a previous tie with Tyler Hansbrough . He looks for another tonight against Syracuse.
A generous display of kindness from UNC coaches
Can Kyan Evans break out of his funk?
Kyan Evans, who started the season as UNC's point guard, is scoreless in two of his past five games. The Tar Heel backcourt could use a big boost from their backup.
Advertisement
What channel is UNC vs. Syracuse on Monday? Time, TV schedule, radio
TarHeelsWire How to Watch
TV Channel: ESPN
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Radio: SiriusXM (Channel 84 and 382)
Website: WatchESPN
Where to watch UNC vs. Syracuse on live stream
UNC vs. Syracuse prediction, picks, odds
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 31: Caleb Wilson #8 of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second half at Hank McCamish Pavilion on January 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
North Carolina's offense has arguably been the ACC's best since conference play started. In ACC games, the Tar Heels lead the league in scoring offense (84.7 points per game), field goal percentage (49.2 percent) and effective field goal percentage (56.4 percent). They are also fifth in 3-point shooting at 34.7 percent.
Despite perimeter defense still being an issue, the Tar Heels have become a much better defensive unit than they were at the start of ACC play. They have forced 25 turnovers in their last two games, scoring 37 points off them.
Advertisement
While the Orange have averaged a little more than 77 points per game, they do not have the offensive firepower of some of the other programs UNC has faced in conference play, though they can score enough to stay in it. However, UNC's backcourt play has improved significantly over the last few games, and that will be the reason Carolina wins its fourth straight game.
Score prediction:UNC 85, Syracuse 70
Spread:UNC -11.5
Total:156.5
Moneyline: UNC -650, Syracuse +470
UNC basketball 2025-26 schedule
October 4: Blue-White Scrimmage (White 55, Blue 50)
Oct. 24: at BYU (preseason, L 78-76)
Oct. 29: vs. Winston-Salem State (preseason, W 95-53)
Advertisement
Nov. 3: vs. Central Arkansas (W, 94-54)
Nov. 7: vs. Kansas (W, 87-74)
Nov. 11: vs. Radford (W, 89-74)
Nov. 14: vs. NC Central (W, 97-53)
Nov. 18: vs. Navy (W, 73-61)
Nov. 25: vs. St. Bonaventure in Fort Myers (Fla.) Tip-Off (W, 85-70)
Nov. 27: vs. Michigan State in Fort Myers (Fla.) Tip-Off (L, 74-58)
December 2: at Kentucky (W, 67-64)
Dec. 7: vs. Georgetown (W, 81-61)
Dec. 13: vs. USC Upstate (W, 80-62)
Dec. 16: vs. ETSU (W, 77-58)
Dec. 20: vs. Ohio State in CBS Sports Classic (W, 71-70)
Dec. 22: vs. East Carolina (W, 99-51)
Dec. 30: vs. Florida State (W 79-66)
January 3, 2026: at SMU (L 97-83)
Jan. 10, 2026: vs. Wake Forest (W 87-84)
Advertisement
Jan. 14, 2026: at Stanford (9 p.m.) (L 95-90)
Jan. 17, 2026: at California (L 84-78)
Jan. 21, 2026: vs. Notre Dame (W 91-69)
Jan. 24, 2026: at Virginia (W 85-80)
Jan. 31, 2026: at Georgia Tech (W 91-75)
Feb. 2, 2026: vs. Syracuse (7 p.m.)
Feb. 7, 2026: vs. Duke (6:30 p.m.)
Feb. 10, 2026: at Miami (FL) (7 p.m.)
Feb. 14, 2026: vs. Pitt (2 p.m.)
Feb. 17, 2026: at NC State (7 p.m.)
Feb. 21, 2026: at Syracuse (1 p.m.)
Feb. 23, 2026: vs. Louisville (7 p.m.)
Feb. 28, 2026: vs. Virginia Tech (TBA)
March 3, 2026: vs. Clemson (7 p.m.)
March 7, 2026: at Duke (6:30 p.m.)
March 10-14, 2026: ACC Tournament in Spectrum Center (Charlotte, N.C.)
Advertisement
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC withstands late Syracuse charge, wins fourth-straight game
