UNC Handles Syracuse with Ease - Until a Wild Finish Shakes Things Up
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - For about 30 minutes Monday night, North Carolina looked every bit like a top-15 team with championship aspirations. For Syracuse?
It was a harsh reminder of how quickly things can unravel in the Dean E. Smith Center - a building the Orange have never won in.
UNC jumped out early, built a 32-point second-half lead, and appeared to be on cruise control. But a late-game collapse let Syracuse claw back with a 35-10 run that made the final score - 87-77 - look far more respectable than the game actually was.
Let’s break down what went right for the Tar Heels, what went wrong for the Orange, and how a game that looked like a blowout turned into a chaotic finish.
The First Half: Freeman Shines, Syracuse Stalls
The Orange came into this one off a game where they assisted on 21 of 32 field goals - a masterclass in ball movement and offensive rhythm. That version of Syracuse didn’t make the trip to Chapel Hill.
In the first half, SU shot a respectable 11-of-25 from the field but recorded just two assists - both courtesy of Naithan George. The offense devolved into iso-heavy possessions, endless dribbling, and low-percentage looks.
Against a Carolina team that switches frequently on defense, Syracuse tried (and failed) to exploit mismatches. The result?
A lot of one-on-one basketball and not much to show for it.
Meanwhile, Donnie Freeman was back in the starting lineup and looked the part of a future pro. He poured in 18 first-half points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 2-of-4 from deep and a perfect 4-of-4 from the line. He added six boards and frequently took advantage of UNC guards on switches.
Freeman even had a moment at the buzzer, banking in a fadeaway to cap a standout first half.
On the other side, projected lottery pick Caleb Wilson held his own. He tallied 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting, went 5-of-6 from the stripe, and grabbed a couple rebounds in slightly fewer minutes than Freeman. The two matched up on occasion, giving fans a glimpse of two long, skilled forwards with NBA potential.
Second Half: Tar Heels Run Away - Then Nearly Give It Away
With 14:44 left, UNC led 63-38. The game felt over. And for most of the second half, it was.
Syracuse couldn’t buy a bucket. There were airballs.
There were bricks. And still, no assists.
In fact, with just under 14 minutes to go, the Orange still had the same two assists they recorded in the first half. The offense was stagnant, and UNC took full advantage.
The Tar Heels opened the second half 7-of-12 from the field, while Syracuse hit just four of its first 14 shots. Reserve guard Luka Bogavac provided a spark off the bench, scoring nine straight points during one stretch - including back-to-back threes and an and-one finish. Not bad for a guy averaging 8.4 points per game in ACC play.
UNC’s offensive versatility was on full display. They’ve got shooters, they’ve got size, and they’ve got a big man who can step out and hit from deep. When they’re locked in, they’re tough to guard - and even tougher to keep up with.
Syracuse didn’t have the firepower to match. Not for most of the night.
Late Surge: Too Little, Too Late - But Still Noteworthy
Then, something strange happened. With the Heels up big, they got sloppy.
Turnovers piled up. Missed free throws crept in.
And Syracuse, to its credit, kept fighting.
The Orange pressed. They finally started running some offense.
And suddenly, the game had life. JJ Starling (13 points) and Naithan George (15 points) did most of their damage late, helping fuel a 35-10 run that cut the deficit to single digits.
It wasn’t enough to steal a win, but it did force UNC to sweat out a game they had dominated for three-quarters of the night.
Key Stats & Matchups
- Donnie Freeman: 23 points (8-of-14 FG, 2-of-4 3PT, 5-of-6 FT), 8 rebounds
- Caleb Wilson: 22 points (6-of-14 FG, 0-of-1 3PT, 10-of-13 FT), 9 rebounds
- Bench Points: UNC 29, Syracuse 16
- Assists (Syracuse): Just 2 until midway through the second half
Syracuse’s lack of perimeter shooting was especially puzzling. Tyler Betsey (53.1% from three in ACC play) and Nate Kingz (43.8%) didn’t attempt a three in the first half.
Kingz, fresh off a 28-point outing against Notre Dame, finished 2-of-3 from the field - both makes coming late. Betsey went 0-for-1 in the game.
That’s a missed opportunity against a UNC defense that ranks dead last in the ACC at defending the three-point line (42.1% allowed in conference play).
Final Thoughts
This was a tale of two games. For 30 minutes, UNC looked like a team that could make a deep March run - balanced, explosive, and in control. For the final 10, they looked like a group that let its foot off the gas and nearly paid for it.
Syracuse, meanwhile, showed grit in the comeback but also exposed its own flaws - stagnant offense, poor shot selection, and a puzzling reluctance to lean on its best shooters.
The Dean Dome remains a house of horrors for the Orange. And while the final score was closer than expected, the gap between these two teams - at least for now - still feels significant.
NOTES: UNC handed out branded bucket hats to students for this one, and even Roy Williams was spotted wearing one in the crowd. The building wasn’t quite full - likely due to weather concerns - though the skies were clear and roads dry. Classic Southern snow panic.