Our UNC vs. Syracuse prediction based on the best college basketball odds picks RJ Davis to carry the Tar Heels despite the team's recent struggles.
In a wild year for college basketball in which the best teams keep losing, the North Carolina Tar Heels have been the victim of unranked upsets twice in its last four games.
It's been a roller-coaster ride for UNC in its last four games, with losses to unranked Georgia Tech and Clemson sandwiching a steamrolling win over No. 7 Duke before struggling with unranked Miami in its latest outing.
Despite UNC's whirlwind season, Hubert Davis' program remains ranked in the top 10 and has the opportunity to flex its offensive muscles against a down-on-its-luck Syracuse Orange team on Tuesday night.
Our best sports betting sites have North Carolina as a 7.5 to 8.5-point favorite against a Syracuse team that's struggled defensively in ACC play.
With the Orange's inability to slow opposing offenses, North Carolina's RJ Davis can continue his All-American play at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Here is our best UNC vs. Syracuse prediction and our college basketball picks (odds via our best March Madness betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
UNC vs. Syracuse prediction
Best odds: -115 via bet365
This season hasn't gone as smoothly as North Carolina Tar Heels fans would like, but the team is ranked No. 7 and looks like one of the few programs that could actually win the NCAA Tournament. Hubert Davis has a veteran squad with a scoring superstar in RJ Davis, who can take over games and carry the Tar Heels to victory.
Over the last two weeks, North Carolina is just 2-2, but Davis has remained a walking bucket. Over this tough four-game stretch, Davis has scored at least 22 points three times and is averaging 23 points per game. That doesn't bode well for a Syracuse program that's ranked 53rd in adjusted defensive efficiency and is giving up 74.5 points per game.
Adrian Autry's Orange are allowing opponents to shoot 45.1% from the floor, 52.3% from two, and 33.1% from three this season. The defense has struggled even more in ACC play, allowing 79.2 points per game.
In their last four games, the Orange have given up 87 per game, and earlier in the season against UNC, they allowed a season-high 103 points with Davis chipping in 22.
Overall this season, Davis is averaging 21.5 points per game while shooting 41.4% from three. He's had at least 22 points 14 times in 24 games, including in six of his last nine. Over those nine games, he's averaging 23.4 points per game.
Tar Heels fans can get ready for the launch of North Carolina sports betting by checking out the best North Carolina sports betting apps. Be sure to take advantage of the best North Carolina sportsbook promos.
Not intended for use in MA
Affiliate Disclosure: Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook
UNC vs. Syracuse best odds
| DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | bet365 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21.5 points | 21.5 points | 21.5 points | 21.5 points | 21.5 points |
| -115 | -115 | -115 | -125 | -115 |
Most of our best sports betting apps are offering the same odds on RJ Davis to finish with Over 21.5 points, as just Caesars has the line at -125.
With Davis' dominant play this season, it's going to be hard to find longer odds than -115, even with 22 points being no easy task. However, the value is there with Syracuse struggling so much on defense this season.
The Orange are also 31st in adjusted tempo, and that pace of play lends to opponents seeing plenty of possessions. Teams are averaging 61.8 field goals per game against Syracuse this season, which is in the top 70 in the country.
Davis averages 16.5 shots himself on top of getting to the free throw line 4.5 times per game. That type of usage in a fast-paced game can only support him hitting the Over.
UNC vs. Syracuse odds
UNC vs. Syracuse odds analysis
North Carolina has struggled in recent games, but with its talent on offense, the Tar Heels opened as 7.5-point favorites against Syracuse at our best sportsbooks. The line has trickled in UNC's favor with most books having it at -8.
Of our best live betting sites, just FanDuel has North Carolina -7.5 at -120 while BetMGM has the Tar Heels -8.5 at -110. UNC is 14-10 ATS this season, while Syracuse is 9-15.
Given North Carolina's offensive talent and Syracuse's tempo, this game total opened between 154.5 and 157 at our sites with the best sportsbook promos. It has since shifted up to 157 or 157.5 at most books. The Tar Heels are 11-12-1 to the Over this season and the Orange are 12-12.
UNC vs. Syracuse game info
- When: Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 7:00 p.m. ET
- Where: JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, NY
- How to watch: ESPN
North Carolina-Syracuse prediction made Tuesday at 10:44 a.m. ET.
Here are our best March Madness betting sites:
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUS1000 | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- BetRivers Promo Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetRivers Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Related pages
- Best Live Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)