Syracuse Orange vs North Carolina Tar Heels Prediction, Odds and Picks for Monday, 02/02/26

Normally, this would be considered a heavyweight bout with 2 pedigrees squaring off for bragging rights and historical supremacy. The market, however, has treated the Orange like an afterthought. UNC comes in ranked and 17-4 SU, while the Orange are sitting at 13-9 SU and unranked. As a result, the media is giving ‘Cuse no chance to win. The price reflects that sentiment, but it is too many points.

Let’s talk about Syracuse’s resume. The Orange lost 4 games by a combined 10 points, which include narrow losses at a ranked Clemson and Houston (the latter in overtime). The Orange also have another overtime loss. Flip those results the other way and Syracuse has the same record as the Tar Heels — and the Orange are likely ranked, too. Should that be the case, the price in this contest is also much closer than the heavy lumber on offer at the present moment. To add, the Orange also own a win over Tennessee this season — a Tennessee team that at one point was sitting in the top 10. What are we trying to say? Syracuse can rise up to the level of its opponent, and treating the Orange like a proverbial speed bump is an oversight. As a result, the number next to its name has all the makings of an overlay. There is also enormous lookahead potential, as well. On deck, the Heels square off with arch rival Duke in a huge showdown at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday. As a result, we have a Syracuse team that is better than its record suggests taking back an enhanced number against an opponent who could easily be looking ahead. That makes the Orange the side to back.

Syracuse vs North Carolina prediction: Syracuse +11.5 (-105) available at time of publishing. Playable to +11.

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