The Syracuse Orange take on the UNC Tar Heels in Chapel Hill, NC. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
UNC is favored by 10.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -700. The total is set at 157.5 points.
Here’s my Syracuse vs. UNC predictions and college basketball picks for February 2, 2026.
Syracuse vs UNC Prediction
My Pick: Over 157.5
My Syracuse vs UNC best bet is on the over. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Syracuse vs. UNC Odds
| Syracuse Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -115 | 157.5 -110o / -110u | +500 |
| UNC Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -105 | 157.5 -110o / -110u | -700 |
- Syracuse vs UNC spread: UNC -10.5
- Syracuse vs UNC over/under: 157.5 points
- Syracuse vs UNC moneyline: Syracuse +500, UNC -700
Syracuse vs UNC College Basketball Betting Preview
Syracuse Basketball
Coming off an 86-72 win against Notre Dame that snapped a four-game losing streak, Syracuse sits at 13-9 overall and 4-5 in ACC play.
This team is frustrating because it’s the most Jekyll-and-Hyde squad in the ACC. One night, the Orange lose to Boston College or Hofstra. On another, they’re beating Tennessee or taking Houston to overtime.
To be honest, I’m not sure Adrian Autry knows what he’s doing. He brought Donnie Freeman — who leads the team in scoring (18.2) and ranks second in rebounds (7.2) — off the bench against Notre Dame after Freeman had just gone for 24 points and 10 rebounds at NC State.
Yes, Syracuse beat an awful Notre Dame team, but one of the main reasons for that win was a “kill shot” run once Freeman checked into the game.
Even with the issues Syracuse seems to have, the Orange sit in the top half of the ACC offensively, thanks to their ability to score out of isolations and pick-and-rolls.
J.J. Starling started the year slowly, but he's been better of late, averaging 14.8 points over his last seven games. He'll look to be aggressive against UNC’s perimeter defense.
UNC Basketball
UNC has turned its season around after going 0-2 on its West Coast trip.
The Tar Heels are 17-4 overall and 5-3 in the ACC following a 91-75 win at Georgia Tech.
Caleb Wilson is playing out of his mind, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, while also serving as a consistent facilitator within the offense.
According to Bart Torvik, UNC posted the third-best offensive efficiency in the country during the month of January, driven largely by its ability to generate high-quality looks around the rim.
Wilson and Henri Veesaar have been nothing short of outstanding for the Tar Heels. Meanwhile, Seth Trimble is averaging 17 points over the last two games, using his athleticism to create efficient scoring opportunities in the paint.
UNC loves to push the pace, scoring 50 points in transition during its three-game winning streak.
Though he was quiet against Georgia Tech, Derek Dixon has been a solid addition to the starting lineup and brings Kendall Marshall–esque vision in the open floor.
Teams are scoring at nearly a 50% clip against Syracuse in transition (98-for-200), and UNC will continue to make pushing the basketball a major point of emphasis.
Syracuse vs. UNC Betting Analysis
As much as I want to believe this could be a lookahead spot with Duke on deck, Wilson won’t let that happen. He’ll have his way against Syracuse, whether it’s in transition or in the half court.
At the end of the day, UNC will continue to play through its bigs against a Syracuse defense that sits in the bottom half of the ACC in 2-point defense.
Meanwhile, Syracuse’s guards should be able to create penetrate-and-kick opportunities against a UNC defense that ranks last in the conference in 3-point defense.
Give me all the points.
My Pick: Over 157.5
