North Carolina Tar Heels vs Syracuse Orange Prediction, 2/15/2025 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: North Carolina Tar Heels vs Syracuse Orange

Date: Saturday, February 15, 2025

Location: JMA Wireless Dome in Champaign, IL

TV: ESPN+

The North Carolina Tar Heels (14-11) are traveling to JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday where they will compete against the Syracuse Orange (11-14).

The North Carolina Tar Heels took the court against Clemson and took a loss by a score of 85-65 in their last game. North Carolina finished having earned a 45.2% FG percentage (28 out of 62) and made 4 of their 19 3-point attempts. When they shot from the free throw line, the Tar Heels made 5 of their 11 attempts for a rate of 45.5%. Pertaining to hauling in rebounds, they earned 26 with 8 of them being of the offensive variety. They also distributed 13 assists in the game in addition to forcing 13 turnovers and earning 8 steals. With regard to defense, North Carolina allowed 50.0% from the floor on 32 of 64 shooting. Clemson recorded 17 assists and had 8 steals in this contest. Additionally, Clemson pulled down 38 boards (13 offensive, 25 defensive), but wasn't able to record a block. Clemson finished the contest at 75.0% when shooting free throws by making 9 of 12 attempts. They converted 12 of their 25 tries from beyond the perimeter. Concerning fouls, the Tar Heels finished with 14 while Clemson accumulated 12 fouls.

RJ Davis is one player who was a factor in this contest. He finished the game shooting 57.1% from the floor and also totaled 2 assists. He was on the hardwood for 33 minutes and also grabbed 2 rebounds. He ended up with 18 points on 8 out of 14 shooting.

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North Carolina will play this game with a mark of 14-11 on the year. They are averaging 80.0 pts per game (49th in college hoops) while connecting on 46.9% from the floor. The Tar Heels are hitting 32.3% on three-point shots (178 of 551) and 73.7% from the charity stripe. As a team, North Carolina is pulling down 36.7 rebounds per game and has totaled 357 dimes on the year, which is 127th in D-1 in terms of passing. They are losing possession via turnover 11.0 times per contest and as a unit are committing 17.7 personal fouls every game.

When they are on the defensive end, the Tar Heels are forcing 11.1 turnovers per game and they draw 17.5 personal fouls. They are 231st in D-1 in allowing assists to their opponents with 335 surrendered for the campaign. The Tar Heels defense is allowing a field goal percentage of 43.0% (676 of 1,571) and they relinquish 35.2 rebounds per game as a group. They concede 34.3% on 3-point shots and they are ranked 306th in college hoops in opponents points per game (76.6).

The last time they took the hardwood, the Syracuse Orange took a defeat with a final score of 91-84 when they faced Miami. When discussing team rebounding, Syracuse permitted Miami to grab 25 in total (3 on the offensive side). They shot 50.0% from 3-point land via 10 of 20 and finished the game at 19 of 23 at the charity stripe (82.6%). The Orange permitted Miami to make 31 of 56 tries from the floor which gave them a rate of 55.4% in this game. When this game wrapped up, the Orange shot 30 for 66 from the field which had them shooting 45.5%. In relation to 3-point attempts, Syracuse buried 8 of 21 attempts (38.1%). They were able to bury 16 of the free throw attempts for a clip of 94.1%. Miami committed 12 personal fouls in this matchup which took the Orange to the free throw line for a total of 17 attempts. They turned the ball over 10 times, while getting 6 steals in this contest. The Orange were able to collect 21 defensive rebounds and 10 offensive rebounds for a total of 31 in the game.

JJ Starling ended up being a major contributor for the Orange for this game. He buried 8 out of 21 in the game for a field goal rate of 38.1%, and had 5 rebounds. He accumulated 25 points in his 36 minutes on the court and had 3 assists for the matchup.

Syracuse has a record of 11-14 this year. When it comes to executing on offense, the Orange are hitting on 45.2% from the floor, which ranks 162nd in D-1. Syracuse has accounted for 1,866 pts for the season (74.6 per game) and they collect 37.9 rebounds per contest. Their rate of dishing out assists is at 13.4 times per contest (209th in Division 1) and they are turning it over 12.5 times per contest. The Orange have committed 16.0 fouls per game and they hit 69.3% from the charity stripe.

The Orange on defense are ranked 330th in college hoops in points per game surrendered with 78.2. They are forcing their opponents into 9.7 TO's per game and have allowed teams to shoot 45.6% from the field (292nd in college hoops). The Syracuse defense gives up 33.8% on 3-point shots (206 of 609) and opponents are making 72.6% of their free throw attempts. They have conceded 13.3 assists and 34.6 rebounds per contest, which is 205th and 194th in the country.

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take North Carolina

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