Syracuse basketball is heading into one of its most challenging stretches of the season, and there’s no easing into it. The Orange are staring down a brutal road swing with back-to-back games against ranked ACC powerhouses: No.
16 North Carolina in Chapel Hill, followed by Virginia in Charlottesville. If you’re looking for a gut-check moment for this team, this is it.
Coming off a much-needed win over Notre Dame that snapped a four-game skid, Syracuse finally showed signs of the team fans hoped to see more consistently this year. It wasn’t just a win-it was one of the Orange’s most complete performances of the season.
The defense was active, the offense found rhythm, and the energy in the Dome felt like a team rediscovering its identity. But now the question becomes: can they build on that momentum, or was it just a blip?
Let’s be real-Syracuse is well outside the NCAA Tournament picture right now. The bubble isn’t even in the rearview mirror.
But that doesn’t mean these games are meaningless. Far from it.
With two quadrant-one opportunities on the road, this week offers a chance to show growth, toughness, and maybe even pull off a season-altering upset.
One storyline to watch closely: Adrian Autry’s lineup decisions. Against Notre Dame, he gave freshman Sadiq White Jr. the starting nod at power forward over sophomore Donnie Freeman, who, it’s worth noting, is the team’s leading scorer this season.
Will Autry stick with the freshman again? White brings length, athleticism, and a high motor-exactly the kind of traits you want on the floor against a high-octane team like UNC.
But Freeman’s scoring punch is hard to ignore. It’s a delicate balance Autry will have to manage.
Here’s what’s on deck:
Syracuse (13-9 overall, 4-5 ACC) heads to the Dean Smith Center to face a surging North Carolina squad (17-4 overall, 5-3 ACC). Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. EST on Monday, Feb. 2, with coverage on ESPN.
History hasn’t been kind to the Orange in this matchup. Syracuse is just 7-18 all-time against the Tar Heels and winless in seven tries in Chapel Hill.
That’s right-0-7 in one of college basketball’s most iconic arenas. And given how UNC has been playing, that streak won’t be easy to snap.
The Tar Heels have rattled off three straight wins, including a gritty five-point road victory at Virginia-a place where wins don’t come easy. Their résumé this season is stacked with victories over the likes of Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio State, and Florida State.
They’ve also handled business against mid-majors and avoided any home letdowns. In fact, they’re a perfect 12-0 at the Dean Dome this season.
UNC’s only losses have come against Michigan State, SMU, Stanford, and California-teams that caught them on the right night. But at home? They’ve been dominant.
Statistically, the Tar Heels are one of the most balanced teams in the country. They’re putting up 83.0 points per game while allowing 70.3.
They crash the glass hard (40.0 rebounds per game), share the ball well (17.2 assists), and take care of it (just 9.5 turnovers). They’re shooting a clean 48.1% from the field and 34.1% from three-efficient and dangerous.
One name Syracuse fans might recognize is freshman guard Derek Dixon, a D.C. product who once had the Orange on his shortlist. He’s now in Carolina blue and contributing to a deep, talented backcourt.
As for Syracuse, they’re averaging 75.8 points per game while giving up 70.0. The Orange are pulling down 35.2 rebounds, dishing out 13.5 assists, and showing some defensive teeth with 6.9 steals and 6.0 blocks per game. Shooting-wise, they’re at 47.1% from the field and 33.7% from deep, but free throws remain a concern at just 63.1%.
The matchup is a tall order-no question. But for Syracuse, this week isn’t just about wins and losses.
It’s about proving they can compete with the conference’s best. It’s about development, resilience, and maybe-just maybe-pulling off a shocker that shifts the narrative on this season.
One game at a time. That’s the mindset.
And Monday night in Chapel Hill? That’s where the test begins.