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Feb 21, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis looks on during the first half against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels enter a daunting stretch in the final weeks of the regular season.

Feb 21, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis looks on during the first half against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels enter a daunting stretch in the final weeks of the regular season.

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Feb 21, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis looks on during the first half against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels require a strong finish to the season to improve position in the upcoming tournament.

Feb 21, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) dunks during the second half against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Veesaar was a welcome sight Saturday against Syracuse

Feb 21, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Zayden High (1) reacts during the second half against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels demonstrated good and bad in their victory on Saturday.

Feb 21, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) drives against Syracuse Orange guard J.J. Starling (2) during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

See the social media buzz as North Carolina gets back in the win column.

Feb 21, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) shoots against Syracuse Orange forward William Kyle III (42) during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels overcame a slow start, eventually taking control in the second half.

Dec 20, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) and center Henri Veesaar (13) celebrate after a basket against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels' frontcourt tandem has missed the last two games. Friday's updates paint a clear picture.

Feb 2, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jarin Stevenson (15) with the ball as Syracuse Orange guard JJ Starling (2) and guard Naithan George (11) defend in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels enter Saturday's contest on a downward trend in the last week.

North Carolina will need to use these three keys to beat the Orange

Jan 17, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) and forward Caleb Wilson (8) slap hands during the second half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels have been without Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar for each of their last two games

Feb 14, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Zayden High (1) reacts in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

North Carolina has been shorthanded without its elite frontcourt tandem. However, one player has stepped up immensely during their absence.

Feb 2, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Luka Bogavac (44) with the ball as Syracuse Orange guard Nate Kingz (4) and forward Donnie Freeman (1) defend in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels face the Syracuse Orange for the second time this season.

Feb 14, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Zayden High (1) reacts in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

High has stepped in for the injured Caleb Wilson over UNC’s last two games

UNC will travel to take on Syracuse for the second time this season

Feb 7, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) with the ball as Duke Blue Devils guard Dame Sarr (7) defends and center Henri Veesaar (13) is in the background in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels' forward and center has missed the last two games due to injury.

Feb 17, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; NC State Wolfpack guard Quadir Copeland (11) lays the ball up against North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jarin Stevenson (15) during the first half at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels were dominated in their 24-point loss against the Wolfpack earlier this week.

Feb 10, 2026; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) drives to the basket against Miami Hurricanes center Ernest Udeh Jr. (8) during the second half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels have taken a hit without their star freshman in the lineup.

Feb 14, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange head coach Adrian Autry reacts to a play in the first half against the Southern Methodist University Mustangs at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Donnie Freeman will look to dominate the Tar Heels once again this month

Feb 14, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Derek Dixon (3) brings the ball up the court in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels have underwhelmed this past week and need to right the ship Saturday against Syracuse.

Feb 10, 2026; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) looks on against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels are in danger of slipping to unfamiliar territory this season with more losses.

UNC suffered worst loss to NC State in modern era.

Feb 17, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; NC State Wolfpack guard Paul McNeil Jr. (2) and North Carolina Tar Heels guard Derek Dixon (3) dive for the ball during the first half at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels produced their worst outing in the 24-point loss against the Wolfpack.

Feb 17, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; NC State Wolfpack forward Ven-Allen Lubin (22) drives the ball to the basket against North Carolina Tar Heels forward Zayden High (1) during the first half at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels' rotation has diminished significantly without its two leading scorers.

Feb 17, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis reacts during the first half against the NC State Wolfpack at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels were dominated on Tuesday against the Wolfpack, losing their second game in three outings.

Heels struggling to rise to occasion without young superstar