Updated Feb. 2, 2026, 8:09 p.m. ET
The North Carolina Tar Heels are right back on national television Monday night, looking to continue their winning streak against a struggling ACC opponent.
UNC (17-4, 5-3 ACC), winners of three straight, welcomes Syracuse to the Dean Dome for a 7 p.m. tip-off. North Carolina looks to win its fourth straight game and remain undefeated at home, while the visiting Orange (13-9, 4-5 ACC) search for an even .500 mark in ACC play.
The Tar Heels are back in Chapel Hill for the first time since January 21, when they dominated Notre Dame in a 91-69 outing. UNC remains home Saturday, hosting Duke in Round One of the Tobacco Road Rivalry, so any momentum going into that archrivalry showdown is crucial.
As you watch tonight’s ACC battle, make sure you’re following along here for live updates throughout.
Another big first half for Caleb Wilson
Caleb Wilson has 13 first-half points, leading all UNC scorers. Wilson is 4-of-7 from the field, plus an impressive 5-of-6 on free throws.
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more! UNC shooting the ball efficiently in first half
The Tar Heels are shooting an electric, 53 percent (16-of-30) overall from the field through 20 minutes, including a 55% (6-of-11) mark from deep.
Syracuse isn’t too far behind, shooting 44% overall and 50% from deep.
Jonathan Powell and Donnie Freeman exchange threes heading into half
Jonathan Powell had himself quite a first half, scoring eight points. Powell’s final three came on a perimeter make from the corner, just before halftime.
Syracuse star Donnie Freeman answered Powell’s three with one of his own, banking one off the backboard with time expiring.
UNC takes a 46-32 lead into halftime.
UNC with a quick nine to extend its lead!
The Tar Heels are now scorching, scoring nine straight points and extend their lead to 43-29 over Syracuse.
28.5 seconds left in the first half.
Syracuse red-hot from the floor
The Orange are seven of their last seven from the floor, trailing UNC just 34-29 at the under-4 media timeout.
Caleb Wilson made his past four free throws, giving UNC a 9-point lead. The Tar Heels struggle with their free chances as a team.
Two straight threes…ANOTHER Syracuse timeout!
Henri Veesaar and Jonathan Powell drain threes on consecutive UNC possessions, extend a lead to 23-12 just past halfway in the first half.
Two MADE free throws, 7-point UNC lead, timeout!
UNC takes a 17-10 lead into a Syracuse timeout halfway through the opening 20 minutes.
The order is in…a Derek Dixon 3-pointer! UNC up four points at under-12 media timeout
The Tar Heels broke the double-digit point threshold – and now lead Syracuse, 12-8, at the under-12 media timeout with1 1:29 left in first-half action.
UNC keeps an early, 4-2 lead even with cold shooting
The Tar Heels carry a slim, 4-2 lead over Syracuse at the under-16 media timeout. Both UNC and the Orange are shooting a combined, 3-of-12 (25 percent) from the field.
Caleb Wilson scores UNC’s first four points
Thanks to a dunk in the opening minutes, followed by an easy layup, Caleb Wilson scored the Tar Heels’ first four points.
UNC leads Syracuse, 4-2.
The UNC basketball history is mesmorizing Caleb Wilson…still a man of the people
Caleb Wilson now has the UNC record for most 20-point games by a freshman, breaking a previous tie with Tyler Hansbrough. He looks for another tonight against Syracuse.
A generous display of kindness from UNC coachesCan Kyan Evans break out of his funk?
Kyan Evans, who started the season as UNC’s point guard, is scoreless in two of his past five games. The Tar Heel backcourt could use a big boost from their backup.
What channel is UNC vs. Syracuse on Monday? Time, TV schedule, radio
TV Channel: ESPN
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Radio: SiriusXM (Channel 84 and 382)
Website: WatchESPN
Where to watch UNC vs. Syracuse on live streamStream UNC vs. SyracuseUNC vs. Syracuse prediction, picks, odds
North Carolina’s offense has arguably been the ACC’s best since conference play started. In ACC games, the Tar Heels lead the league in scoring offense (84.7 points per game), field goal percentage (49.2 percent) and effective field goal percentage (56.4 percent). They are also fifth in 3-point shooting at 34.7 percent.
Despite perimeter defense still being an issue, the Tar Heels have become a much better defensive unit than they were at the start of ACC play. They have forced 25 turnovers in their last two games, scoring 37 points off them.
While the Orange have averaged a little more than 77 points per game, they do not have the offensive firepower of some of the other programs UNC has faced in conference play, though they can score enough to stay in it. However, UNC’s backcourt play has improved significantly over the last few games, and that will be the reason Carolina wins its fourth straight game.
Score prediction: UNC 85, Syracuse 70
Spread: UNC -11.5
Total: 156.5
Moneyline: UNC -650, Syracuse +470
UNC basketball 2025-26 schedule
October 4: Blue-White Scrimmage (White 55, Blue 50)
Oct. 24: at BYU (preseason, L 78-76)
Oct. 29: vs. Winston-Salem State (preseason, W 95-53)
Nov. 3: vs. Central Arkansas (W, 94-54)
Nov. 7: vs. Kansas (W, 87-74)
Nov. 11: vs. Radford (W, 89-74)
Nov. 14: vs. NC Central (W, 97-53)
Nov. 18: vs. Navy (W, 73-61)
Nov. 25: vs. St. Bonaventure in Fort Myers (Fla.) Tip-Off (W, 85-70)
Nov. 27: vs. Michigan State in Fort Myers (Fla.) Tip-Off (L, 74-58)
December 2: at Kentucky (W, 67-64)
Dec. 7: vs. Georgetown (W, 81-61)
Dec. 13: vs. USC Upstate (W, 80-62)
Dec. 16: vs. ETSU (W, 77-58)
Dec. 20: vs. Ohio State in CBS Sports Classic (W, 71-70)
Dec. 22: vs. East Carolina (W, 99-51)
Dec. 30: vs. Florida State (W 79-66)
January 3, 2026: at SMU (L 97-83)
Jan. 10, 2026: vs. Wake Forest (W 87-84)
Jan. 14, 2026: at Stanford (9 p.m.) (L 95-90)
Jan. 17, 2026: at California (L 84-78)
Jan. 21, 2026: vs. Notre Dame (W 91-69)
Jan. 24, 2026: at Virginia (W 85-80)
Jan. 31, 2026: at Georgia Tech (W 91-75)
Feb. 2, 2026: vs. Syracuse (7 p.m.)
Feb. 7, 2026: vs. Duke (6:30 p.m.)
Feb. 10, 2026: at Miami (FL) (7 p.m.)
Feb. 14, 2026: vs. Pitt (2 p.m.)
Feb. 17, 2026: at NC State (7 p.m.)
Feb. 21, 2026: at Syracuse (1 p.m.)
Feb. 23, 2026: vs. Louisville (7 p.m.)
Feb. 28, 2026: vs. Virginia Tech (TBA)
March 3, 2026: vs. Clemson (7 p.m.)
March 7, 2026: at Duke (6:30 p.m.)
March 10-14, 2026: ACC Tournament in Spectrum Center (Charlotte, N.C.)
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