CHAPEL HILL — While many North Carolina fans are already looking ahead to this weekend, the Tar Heels must first take care of Syracuse and avoid letting Monday's contest become an infamous trap game.

UNC will look to extend its winning streak to four against the Orange on Monday night at the Smith Center before the Blue Devils visit on Saturday. Tipoff against Syracuse is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN.

It's a quick turnaround for both teams, as each is coming off a win on Saturday. Syracuse downed Notre Dame, 86-72, while UNC handled Georgia Tech in Atlanta, 91-75.

Forward Caleb Wilson led the Tar Heels in part two of his homecoming with 22 points, six rebounds, five assists, plus a steal and a block. Center Henri Veesaar added 20 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and two steals. 

Despite some concern over potential delayed travel out of Atlanta due to severe winter weather in North Carolina, the Tar Heels arrived back in Chapel Hill late Saturday night and were back on the practice court less than 24 hours later. Typically, UNC does not practice the day after a game, but with only one day between contests, the Tar Heels had little choice.

For UNC, the goal is simple: handle business, build on its momentum and move on to Duke.

That may be easier said than done, though. The Tar Heels have lost their mid-week matchup before the rivalry game in each of the last three seasons.

Syracuse enters the matchup at 13-9 overall, including 4-5 in ACC play. It has struggled recently, though, winning one of its last five games. In its victory over Notre Dame, the Orange were led by Nate Kingz and JJ Starling, who scored 28 and 21 points, respectively.

On the season, forward Donnie Freeman leads Syracuse with 18.2 points per game on 50.3 percent shooting and adds 7.3 rebounds per contest. Freeman has been limited by injury this year and has only appeared in 13 games.

UNC will look to limit Syracuse from the perimeter, which ranks third-worst in the ACC in three-point shooting at just under 34 percent.

Rebounding is always a point of emphasis for the Tar Heels, and it will be no different Monday night. Syracuse ranks fourth-worst in the conference in rebounding margin.

For UNC, the offense must continue to stay hot, led by Wilson, Veesaar and senior leader Seth Trimble — the Tar Heels' top three scoring options.

Wilson is averaging 20 points and 9.9 rebounds per game while shooting 58.9 percent from the floor. Veesaar follows with 16.8 points per game on 62.3 percent shooting and nine rebounds. Trimble is close behind, averaging 14.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

If UNC lets the hype surrounding this weekend loom too large, it could find itself in trouble. Still, on paper, the Tar Heels are deeper and more talented than Syracuse.