Syracuse Blows Win & Cover in Brutal Bad Beat Overtime Loss to North Carolina

Syracuse raced out to an early 9-0 lead against North Carolina, had the ball with the lead and 16 seconds left yet still couldn't win — or cover — as an 8.5-point underdog in Monday's game.

North Carolina erased deficit after deficit, taking a 41-36 lead at halftime and forced a turnover with 16 seconds left, leading to a go-ahead three in regulation before running away in overtime for the 88-79 win.

Anything but overtime was what Orange backers had to be thinking. With a one-point lead and the ball, that looked relatively safe. However, a Joseph Girard III turnover with 16 seconds left led to a Tar Heels three-pointer, putting North Carolina up 73-71 with 11 seconds left.

Still, relatively safe for +8.5.

But Syracuse inbounded the ball quickly to Girard III, who went coast-to-coast for a pull-up jumper in the short corner to tie the game at 73.

From the 3:20 mark through the end of regulation, Syracuse had a 99% chance at covering according to the Action App.

Yet, North Carolina scored the first eight points of overtime, putting the gloom into Syracuse bettors almost right away in the extra period. Following a Cole Swider three — his seventh of the game — Syracuse was still 57% to cover.

Unfortunately for the Orange, Buddy Boeheim's free throws with 1:21 left were the team's final points of the game, closing the gap to 85-79. A Caleb Love three-point play on the very next possession was enough to get the Carolina lead to nine points.

The Tar Heels didn't take another shot. Boeheim missed a three and the game ended with a Bourama Sidibe turnover with 11 seconds left.

That put a bow on a round of bad beats to end the month of February. It's only the start of the wild and crazy, as this is certainly March.

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