Syracuse vs. North Carolina: Official TNIAAM Predictions & Poll

The Syracuse Orange could use a couple things to clinch their space in the NCAA Tournament. They can either win a few more games or they can put one more big-time win on the resume. They get their chance tonight when they travel to Chapel Hill to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels. Can the Orange pull off the upset and punch their ticket?

Andrew Carey

North Carolina 67 - Syracuse 64
I think the Orange keep this one competitive throughout. Boeheim will make enough adjustments to the zone to not give Carolina the same offensive advantage they had in the first game. Syracuse will come out firing from deep to try and compromise UNC's advantage on the inside. I think guys like Gbinije, Richardson, Lydon, and especially Trevor Cooney will all need to step up in a big way in order for the Orange to get the win.

Kevin Wall

North Carolina 79 - Syracuse 70
With Tyler Roberson struggling, I think the Tar Heels inside play will be too much for the Orange to overcome. It's going to take a very good 3-pt shooting performance for Syracuse to get this win. If SU can find a way to grab this game, it would probably lock up a NCAA bid.

John Orsenigo

North Carolina 86 - Syracuse 72
"Upsets are results that pretty much no one sees coming, and Syracuse beating North Carolina in the Dean Dome on Senior Night for Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson would indeed be a big upset. The UNC big men are too much for Syracuse to handle. It would be a tournament-clinching win for SU, but as an upset, I just can't see it."

Ari Gilberg

North Carolina 78 - Syracuse 66
No. 7 North Carolina won the first meeting between these two teams in Jim Boeheim’s first game back from his nine-game suspension in early January, and it would be surprising if they don’t win the second as well. Despite stumbling as of late – UNC is only 4-4 in their last eight games – the Tar Heels are too talented to falter against an inconsistent Syracuse team that nearly choked away a double-digit lead in their last game against NC State. Brice Johnson led UNC with 16 points, eight assists, four rebounds, and two steals in the first matchup, and expect a similar performance from the senior forward this go-around. Syracuse will keep it competitive early on, but simply won’t be able to keep up with UNC’s high-scoring offense late.

Sean Keeley

North Carolina 71 - Syracuse 64
Look, the Orange can handle their business. But we know this team just isn't built to win games like this. The squad has also settled into a schedule where 1-2 guys play well while everyone else disappears. That's just not gonna get it done.

Now it's your turn...