Syracuse raced out to an early 9-0 lead against North Carolina, had the ball with the lead and 16 seconds left yet still couldn't win — or cover — as an 8.5-point underdog in Monday's game.
North Carolina erased deficit after deficit, taking a 41-36 lead at halftime and forced a turnover with 16 seconds left, leading to a go-ahead three in regulation before running away in overtime for the 88-79 win.
Anything but overtime was what Orange backers had to be thinking. With a one-point lead and the ball, that looked relatively safe. However, a Joseph Girard III turnover with 16 seconds left led to a Tar Heels three-pointer, putting North Carolina up 73-71 with 11 seconds left.
Still, relatively safe for +8.5.
But Syracuse inbounded the ball quickly to Girard III, who went coast-to-coast for a pull-up jumper in the short corner to tie the game at 73.
From the 3:20 mark through the end of regulation, Syracuse had a 99% chance at covering according to the Action App.
HORRIBLE BEAT FOR SYRACUSE (+8.5) BACKERS 🤮
UNC was not covering for a single second during regulation.
The Orange proceeded to lose by 9 points in OT… pic.twitter.com/CR2Q5E54WZ
— The Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) March 1, 2022
Yet, North Carolina scored the first eight points of overtime, putting the gloom into Syracuse bettors almost right away in the extra period. Following a Cole Swider three — his seventh of the game — Syracuse was still 57% to cover.
Unfortunately for the Orange, Buddy Boeheim's free throws with 1:21 left were the team's final points of the game, closing the gap to 85-79. A Caleb Love three-point play on the very next possession was enough to get the Carolina lead to nine points.
The Tar Heels didn't take another shot. Boeheim missed a three and the game ended with a Bourama Sidibe turnover with 11 seconds left.
That put a bow on a round of bad beats to end the month of February. It's only the start of the wild and crazy, as this is certainly March.
