David Wilson: Syracuse 68, North Carolina 61
Achilles’ Heel
The Tar Heels play up to their competition and they’ll do it again on Saturday, but it won’t be enough to hand the Orange its first loss of the season. Marcus Paige will give Tyler Ennis as tough a test as he’s had all year and Brice Johnson and James Michael McAdoo could cause problems for Rakeem Christmas and an inconsistent low post, but there’s a major problem for UNC. It can’t shoot. At all. Like, it’s the third worst team in the country from beyond the arc. That’s enough for SU’s zone to win out.

Trevor Hass: Syracuse 68, North Carolina 55
Still unTarnished
UNC gives Syracuse a scare. Paige and the rest of the Tar Heels have struggled with their shot lately and couldn’t hit much against Miami (Fla.). They’ve played better in big games this year, though, and this is the quintessential big game. They’ll be ready to go and will rise to the occasion, but in the end Syracuse will pull away, as C.J. Fair ices things once again and SU remains undefeated.

Stephen Bailey: Syracuse 65, North Carolina 59
On their Heels
Paige is the most talented player to visit the Carrier Dome this season, and he’ll put on a show. Unfortunately for UNC,  McAdoo and J.P. Tokoto aren’t strong enough a supporting cast to push the Tar Heels over the top. With Fair as reliable a late-game player as there is in the country, and a stifling 2-3 zone to clamp down on North Carolina’s transition game, the Orange will escape and stay undefeated.