If you watched the first 30 minutes of North Carolina’s 87-77 win over Syracuse, you saw one of the Tar Heels’ most complete performances of the season. The ball was moving, the defense was active, and the scoreboard lit up in Carolina blue.
But then came the final 10 minutes - a stretch that saw a 32-point lead shrink all the way to six. It wasn’t pretty, but in a way, it might be exactly what this team needed heading into the biggest week of the season: a win with just enough flaws to keep them hungry.
Balanced, Efficient, and Deep
Caleb Wilson led the way with 22 points and eight rebounds, but this wasn’t a one-man show. Carolina had four players in double figures, including two off the bench.
Henri Veesaar added 17, Jonathan Powell dropped 12, and Luka Bogavac chipped in 10. That kind of offensive balance has become a hallmark of this team since ACC play began - and it’s paying off.
The Heels are now third in the country in offensive efficiency, and they showed it again Monday night, scoring 1.27 points per possession.
And that bench? It’s starting to look like a real weapon.
Carolina’s reserves outscored Syracuse’s bench 27-16, a stat that says a lot about where this team is headed with six weeks left before the postseason. When you’re getting double-digit scoring from guys coming off the pine - and they’re playing with energy on both ends - that’s a sign of a team with real depth.
Shooting Smart, Not Just Shooting Often
Carolina also had one of its best nights from beyond the arc - not just in terms of percentage (8-for-18, a crisp 44%), but in shot selection. Powell connected on three triples, and five other Heels each knocked down one. They weren’t just chucking it from deep; they were taking the right shots at the right time, and that kind of discipline is what separates good teams from great ones.
Unsung Contributions Everywhere
Even the guys who didn’t fill up the box score made their mark. Derek Dixon continues to inject pace into the offense with his hit-ahead passes, pushing tempo and keeping defenses on their heels.
Jarin Stevenson was sprinting the floor to stay available in transition. Seth Trimble grabbed four boards, finished at the rim, and hit key free throws in crunch time.
It was a night where nearly everyone in a Carolina jersey found a way to contribute.
Bogavac Heating Up
Luka Bogavac is quietly becoming a player to watch. Over his last three games, he’s shooting 14-for-23 from the field and 7-for-13 from three.
But it’s not just the offense - he’s putting in more effort on the defensive end, and that’s often when the shots start falling. When a shooter starts locking in on D, it’s usually a sign that confidence - and trust from the coaching staff - is growing.
Taking Care of the Ball (Mostly)
Another encouraging trend: the Heels are valuing possessions. After turning it over just twice at Georgia Tech, they had only seven giveaways through most of this game before a late flurry added four more.
Still, for the majority of the night, they looked composed, with sharp ball movement and smart decisions that led to high-quality looks. That’s a sign of a team maturing - and one that understands how to execute in the halfcourt.
Turning Defense into Offense
The other trend that’s quietly fueling Carolina’s success? Dominating points off turnovers.
Over the last three games, they’ve outscored opponents 53-16 in that category. Some of that is just the nature of live-ball turnovers leading to transition buckets, but it’s also a result of improved defensive energy and anticipation.
That was especially true in the first half, when UNC forced nine Syracuse turnovers and turned them into nine points. The Heels mixed up their defensive pressure - including a surprise three-quarter court press - and it led to a timeout and two turnovers in a 90-second span.
That kind of tactical flexibility is something we haven’t always seen from this team, and it’s a wrinkle that could come in handy down the stretch. The challenge now?
Sustaining that pressure for 40 minutes. Syracuse coughed it up just once in the second half.
Finishing Strong - Or Learning to
If there’s one area where Carolina still needs to tighten up, it’s closing games. This wasn’t the first time they’ve let a huge lead slip late.
Up 32 with 10 minutes to go, the Tar Heels allowed Syracuse to cut it to six with under a minute left. Yes, it’s still a win.
But margin of victory matters when it comes to metrics - and metrics matter when it comes to seeding in March. With tougher competition on the horizon, Carolina can’t afford to let off the gas.
A Fun Night in Chapel Hill
It wasn’t just the team that brought the energy. The Smith Center was buzzing, and the first 2,500 students got bucket hats to mark the occasion.
One of them - well, sort of - was Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams, who got a big cheer when he appeared on the video board sporting one. “I went into the bathroom at halftime and looked in the mirror and saw how I look in it,” Williams said after the game.
“And I said, ‘Oh, no.’” Classic Roy.
Owning the Orange
Carolina’s dominance over Syracuse continues. Since the Orange joined the ACC, the Tar Heels are now 15-4 against them, including an 8-0 mark at home.
All-time, UNC leads the series 19-7. The two teams will meet again in Syracuse on Feb. 21, but for now, the Heels have once again protected home court.
A Little Groundhog Day History
Here’s a nugget for the Tar Heel trivia lovers: Carolina is now 23-10 all-time on Groundhog Day. The most memorable?
That wild 102-100 double-overtime win at Duke in 1995 - yes, the Jeff Capel halfcourt shot game. (No, it didn’t win it for the Blue Devils.)
Next Up: Duke Week
And now, the stage is set. Carolina is 13-0 at the Smith Center this season, winning by an average of more than 20 points per game.
But that record gets its toughest test Saturday night when Duke rolls into town. ESPN’s College GameDay will be there.
The building will be electric. And the rivalry - as always - will be must-see.
The Heels showed flashes of dominance against Syracuse. Now they’ll need a full 40-minute effort to keep the streak alive and make a statement against their biggest rival.