🏀 North Carolina vs. Syracuse Prediction & Odds: College Basketball Picks Today (Feb. 21)

Two ACC programs that are looking to rebound from losses this week meet this afternoon at 1 p.m. ET in the first game of an ABC college basketball doubleheader. North Carolina is a 1.5-point betting favorite on the road at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, N.Y.

As part of my college basketball predictions today, my North Carolina vs. Syracuse prediction expects a much lower scoring game than the 87-77 Tar Heels win 19 days ago. 

In addition to the total, I offer my best game and score prediction as well as my top player prop bet. It all looks to build upon my perfect 3-0 sweep of bets from Syracuse’s game against Duke from Monday.

🏀 North Carolina vs. Syracuse picks & odds today: Feb. 21

See all of our experts' college basketball picks based on the latest college basketball odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.

Total wagered: 3.0 units | Max profit: 2.51 units

💰 North Carolina vs. Syracuse prediction & best bet

Under 154.5 (-110)

Entering the first meeting between these teams, North Carolina was playing great defensively, allowing 0.63 points per possession in ball screens over its previous four games. The Tar Heels then held the Orange to 40 points over the first 30 minutes. 

Syracuse also entered that game allowing 40 points at the rim over its prior three games. While North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar combined for 39 points on 12-of-22 shooting, neither have played in the Tar Heels’ last two games.  

The best price for this bet is -110 via BetMGM, but there's value up to -125.

Score prediction: North Carolina 76, Syracuse 75

🔥 Best North Carolina vs. Syracuse player prop bet

J.J. Starling Over 2.5 rebounds (-125)

Syracuse shooting guard J.J. Starling is much more known for his scoring than rebounding, as he is second on the team with 12 points per game. But he also pitches in 2.8 rebounds per game, and has had a floor of at least two rebounds in six consecutive games.

Since the last meeting against North Carolina when he went over this projected total with three rebounds, the Tar Heels have lost their leading rebounder (Caleb Wilson) to a fractured hand, while their 7-foot center has missed the last two games. If Henri Veesaar cannot go again in this game, that allows guards on both sides to grab more misses.

The Over for Starling’s rebounds is juiced as high as -135, so we’re getting the best return on our one unit play at bet365.

🚀 North Carolina vs. Syracuse same-game parlay

North Carolina is just 1-3 ATS as a road favorite, while Syracuse is 5-1 ATS in games with a rest advantage over its opponents. The full game Under as well as the Over on J.J. Starling’s rebounds play nicely together as well, since I will be rooting for misses often.

💡 How I'm betting North Carolina vs. Syracuse

Follow all of our college basketball analysis and expert predictions this season.

With Syracuse’s biggest defensive weakness not likely to be exploited by North Carolina’s lack of healthy frontcourt playmaking, I’m fully confident allocating three units in total on this game. 

However, given that Syracuse is coming off its second worst conference loss in program history (37 points to Duke), I’m not putting more than one unit on any single wager. I am backing the Orange to cover though, as they are 5-0 ATS in their last five, and 7-2 ATS with four-plus days off.

📊 Live North Carolina vs. Syracuse odds

After North Carolina opened as a 3.5-point betting favorite, the line has shifted down with the Tar Heels now sitting between -1.5 and -2. If the line moves to -2.5 or higher by tip, I'd like Syracuse to cover more than I like the Under

📈 North Carolina vs. Syracuse betting trends

📺 How to watch North Carolina vs. Syracuse

• Date: Saturday, Feb. 21
• Tipoff: 1 p.m. ET
• Location: JMA Wireless Dome (Syracuse, N.Y.)
• TV: ABC