North Carolina Tar Heels Defeat Syracuse Orange in Road Victory

Tar Heels complete season sweep over Orange with 77-64 win

Feb. 22, 2026 at 11:03am

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The North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Syracuse Orange 77-64 on Saturday afternoon, completing the season sweep. Center Henri Veesaar, who was a game-time decision, ended up starting and leading the Tar Heels with 19 points on 9-of-13 shooting. North Carolina pulled away in the second half after a close first half, with a key 8-0 run sparked by senior guard Seth Trimble.

Why it matters

This victory was an important one for the Tar Heels, as they continue to build momentum heading into the postseason. North Carolina’s offense struggled without Veesaar and forward Armando Bacot in previous games, so his return provided a much-needed boost. The Tar Heels’ ability to pull away in the second half also demonstrated their potential to win close games against inferior opponents.

The details

Veesaar’s presence alone helped organize the Tar Heels’ offense and provide more spacing, even though North Carolina’s three-point shooting was still underwhelming. The Tar Heels went 6-of-16 from beyond the arc, a significant improvement from their 5-of-33 performance against NC State. North Carolina’s second-half surge, led by Trimble’s 8-0 run, ultimately sealed the victory, though the team struggled at the free throw line, going 15-of-28.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
  • North Carolina and Syracuse faced off in the second matchup of the season between the two teams.

The players

Henri Veesaar

North Carolina Tar Heels center who was a game-time decision but ended up starting and leading the team with 19 points.

Seth Trimble

North Carolina Tar Heels senior guard who sparked a key 8-0 run in the second half to help the Tar Heels pull away.

Hubert Davis

Head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, who has emphasized the importance of defense to the team’s success this season.

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What they’re saying

“North Carolina’s success is predicated on the defensive end of the court.”

— Hubert Davis, Head coach

What’s next

The Tar Heels will look to build on this victory as they continue their push towards the postseason.

The takeaway

This win highlights the importance of having a healthy and balanced North Carolina team, as the return of Veesaar provided a much-needed boost to the Tar Heels’ offense. The team’s ability to pull away in the second half also demonstrates their potential to win close games against lesser opponents, though their struggles at the free throw line remain a concern.