A Syracuse Orange men’s basketball game fans already had circled will now also be highlighted, underlined and bolded by many. That’s because it will be in the national spotlight.
Syracuse’s home game versus the North Carolina Tar Heels will be aired on ABC, ESPN announced Wednesday. The Orange-Tar Heels matchup is just one of five men’s college basketball games that will be broadcasted on the network in 2025-26. It’s also the only ACC game that will be on ABC this season. The entire ESPN on ABC includes 11 total games (men’s and women’s).
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Tip-off in the JMA Wireless Dome is also set for Saturday, February 21 at 1 p.m. EST.
Something interesting to point out: using ESPN’s Way-Too-Early rankings for both men’s and women’s basketball, 10 of the 11 games ABC will air are ranked versus ranked matchups. The only one not on that list: North Carolina versus Syracuse.
Again, a game that already carried plenty of weight (second of two games versus UNC in February, Saturday tip-off, resume implications, now the likely candidate for the Boeheim’s Army “campout,” etc.) just added even more stakes. Above anything, there will be clear expectations on both sides.
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For North Carolina, it’s taking another step forward after a 23-win season and just narrowly getting into the NCAA Tournament last year. For Syracuse, all signs point toward a massive step of improvement, but will that result in getting into the Big Dance? It’s a critical game for both sides, and again, quite interesting this is the only ACC game making the cut.
But before getting to February, Syracuse will first need to navigate the fall and winter. The Orange’s 2025-26 season officially starts on November 3 at home versus Binghamton.
