Syracuse (18-9, 7-7 Atlantic Coast) is set to face off against No. 10 North Carolina (21-7, 10-5) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in the Carrier Dome. SU most recently beat Miami, 62-55, on Saturday, while UNC is coming off a 93-76 win over Louisville.

Here’s what to know about the Tar Heels.

All-time series: North Carolina leads, 9-4

Last time they played: UNC dominated Syracuse, winning 85-68 at Dean E. Smith Center on Jan. 16, 2017. Syracuse was led by Tyler Lydon, who scored 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting. But the rest of the team combined to shoot 33 percent. Meanwhile, four Tar Heels scored in double figures, and as a team, UNC had 20 more rebounds than Syracuse.

The North Carolina Report: UNC is a relentless offensive juggernaut. The team’s 83.6 points per game is third in the ACC and 21st in the country. It has the seventh-highest adjusted offensive efficiency per Kenpom.com and its average possession length is 15.5 seconds, the 19th-fastest in the country.

UNC has four different players who average double-figures in scoring. Its fifth starter, Theo Pinson, averages 9.3 points per game. Each of its starters is capable of filling it up, as the five of them combined to score 84 points against Louisville. The Tar Heels shoot 47 percent from the field and 37 percent from behind the arc, both top-five marks in the ACC.

When UNC does miss shots, it frequently gets the ball back. UNC averages 14 offensive rebounds per game, tied with Duke as the best mark in the conference. Its 38.9 offensive rebounding percentage is second in the country, per Kenpom.

Pinson is a solid individual defender and at 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, he matches up favorably with SU’s backcourt of Frank Howard and Tyus Battle, who frequently hold size advantages over other guards. UNC’s defense doesn’t generate many turnovers, though, evident by its 303rd spot in opponent turnover percentage, per Kenpom.

How Syracuse beats North Carolina: Limit offensive rebounds and keep up with UNC’s offense. Syracuse’s offense, which struggled so much throughout the season, has shown new life over its last four games, averaging 72 points during the stretch. It’s far from a guarantee, but the Orange has proven that it can keep up on that end. But if it gives UNC too many extra possessions, the Tar Heels will eventually pull away.

Stat to know: 5

UNC has won the last five matchups against Syracuse. In three out of the five, UNC out-rebounded the Orange by double digits.

Kenpom odds: Kenpom gives Syracuse a 40 percent chance to win and predicts a 72-69 loss.

Player to watch: Luke Maye, forward, No. 32

The hero of last year’s national title run for UNC picked up where he left off this season. He’s currently averaging 18.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while shooting 51 percent from the field and 47 percent from deep. At 6-foot-8, 240 pounds, Maye can either set up in the high post against Syracuse’s zone or pull SU’s forwards out to the 3-point line, opening up driving lanes for teammates. Maye currently ranks seventh in Kenpom’s Player of the Year standings and is the catalyst of UNC’s attack.

Published on February 20, 2018 at 5:30 pm

Contact Tomer: tdlanger@syr.edu | @tomer_langer