The North Carolina Tar Heels are gearing up for a quick turnaround as they prepare to host the Syracuse Orange on February 2 for an ESPN Big Monday matchup at the Dean E. Smith Center. The game is set to tip off at 7 p.m., with Dave O’Brien, Jay Williams, and Molly McGrath calling the action for ESPN.
Currently, the Tar Heels boast a strong record of 17-4 overall and 5-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), riding high on a three-game winning streak, which includes two victories on the road. In their most recent outing, Carolina triumphed over Georgia Tech with a convincing score of 91-75. In that match, the team’s top four scorers combined to net a remarkable 76 points.
Syracuse enters the contest with a 13-9 record and a 4-5 mark in league play, recently breaking a four-game losing streak with a solid home victory over Notre Dame, finishing 86-72.
This game marks the first instance since late December that the Tar Heels will play two games in three days, with a second part of this back-to-back schedule scheduled for February 21 at Syracuse and a home game against Louisville on February 23. Notably, the Tar Heels are undefeated at home this season, having won all 12 games at the Smith Center with an average victory margin of 22.3 points.
Caleb Wilson continues to shine for UNC, having not only led the team with 22 points and five assists against Georgia Tech but also setting two freshman records at the school: the most consecutive games scoring in double figures to start a career (21) and the most 20-point games (15). He currently averages 20.0 points per game. Together with fellow standout, Veesaar, who also recorded a double-double against Georgia Tech, the pair have proven instrumental in the Tar Heels’ high-powered offense this season.
In addition to Wilson’s stellar performance, Davis has been making waves as the Tar Heels head coach, securing a solid reputation with a remarkable track record in regular-season ACC games. The current team has already tied several school records, including fewest turnovers in a game, showcasing impressive discipline on the court.
Looking ahead, the Tar Heels are positioned for continued success, with numerous players achieving remarkable statistics and accolades, promising an exciting season ahead as they chase another ACC title.
This game not only marks a significant milestone for the Tar Heels as their 1,100th regular-season ACC game, but it also reinforces their dominance in ACC history with the most wins in the conference. As they prepare to face Syracuse, Carolina fans have much to look forward to in what is shaping up to be a dynamic season.