The Syracuse Orange will look to rebound from a blowout loss earlier this week as they host a hobbled North Carolina Tar Heels team on Saturday afternoon.
The Tar Heels are clearly struggling without two of their best players, so I’m taking the Orange to cover in my North Carolina vs. Syracuse predictions.
Let’s look at a full analysis of this afternoon’s ACC matchup in my free college basketball picks for Saturday, February 21.
North Carolina vs Syracuse prediction
North Carolina vs Syracuse best bet: Syracuse +1 (-110)
The North Carolina Tar Heels have two dominant weapons in freshman Caleb Wilson (19.8 ppg) and center Henri Veesaar (16.4 ppg). But when both players missed Tuesday’s game against North Carolina State, it led to a blowout 82-58 loss for UNC.
Without Wilson and Veesaar, North Carolina loses its scoring punch and interior presence. Wilson will be out today, and Veesaar is questionable again with a lower-body injury.
When North Carolina last met the Syracuse Orange, the Tar Heels won by 10 with their two stars at full health. Without them at full health, this is Syracuse’s game to lose.
North Carolina vs Syracuse same-game parlay
There’s not much of a spread in this game, so for my same-game parlay, I’ll drop the point and take Syracuse to win outright at home.
The Tar Heels have been struggling offensively due to injuries, so I like the Under here, but I’ll still take Orange forward Donnie Freeman (17.1 ppg) to score Over his scoring prop.
North Carolina vs Syracuse SGP
- Syracuse ML
- Under 154.5
- Donnie Freeman Over 16.5 points
Our beyond the arc SGP: Gorgeous George!
Naithan George scored 15 points the last time these two teams played.
North Carolina vs Syracuse SGP
- Syracuse ML
- Under 154.5
- Donnie Freeman Over 16.5 points
- Naithan George Over 11.5 points
North Carolina vs Syracuse odds
- Spread: North Carolina -1 (-110) | Syracuse +1 (-110)
- Moneyline: North Carolina -120 | Syracuse +100
- Over/Under: Over 154 (-110) | Under 154 (-110)
North Carolina vs Syracuse betting trend to know
Syracuse is 3-0 ATS in its last three games against UNC.. Find more college basketball betting trends for North Carolina vs. Syracuse.
How to watch North Carolina vs Syracuse
| Location | JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, NY |
| Date | Saturday, February 21, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ABC |
North Carolina vs Syracuse key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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