Most teams play better at home. Just ask the North Carolina Tar Heels, who had just three road wins entering Saturday's rematch with Syracuse.
UNC lost 82-58 at NC State on Tuesday, a type of loss demoralizing enough to change prior momentum. It didn't matter how pretty or ugly Saturday's game was, but North Carolina needed to win bad.
The Tar Heels quickly watched their 5-point halftime lead disappear, but they never trailed again. UNC quickly roared ahead after the under-12 media timeout, scoring eight straight points en route to a 77-64 victory over the Orange (15-13, 6-9 ACC).
North Carolina (21-6, 9-5 ACC) greatly benefitted from Henri Veesaar's return to the starting lineup. Missing each of the Tar Heels' last two games with injury, Veesaar emphatically announced his presence with a team-high 19 points. Veesaar allowed UNC to run its offense more efficiently, control the paint defensively and space the floor throughout.
Zayden High started each of North Carolina's previous two games in Veesaar's place, quickly proving himself for more minutes. High nearly recorded a second-straight double-double on Saturday, scoring nine points and pulling down 11 rebounds, while also sticking up for teammate Jarin Stevenson when fouling out late.
The Tar Heels got back to playing their fast-paced brand of basketball, earning a 19-9 advantage in paint points. UNC's defense bent at times, but never broke, holding Syracuse to just three makes from deep.
North Carolina is back in the win column, exactly where it needs to be with an extremely tough finish to regular-season play ahead. Take a look at our top five takeaways from Saturday's massive victory.
Henri Veesaar's return greatly benefitted the Tar Heels
Even when he isn't scoring or rebounding the basketball, Henri Veesaar instantly makes UNC better. He's a 7-foot center who can bully you down low, step out and hit a 3-pointer, or pass to the open man for an easy bucket.
Veesaar led the Tar Heels with 19 points against Syracuse. He also blocked three shots and grabbed three rebounds.
With Veesaar's presence, North Carolina also got double-digit scoring days from Seth Trimble and Luka Bogavac (13 points each). Veesaar was a major reason the Tar Heels won – and he instantly makes them better.
Zayden High's emergence gives UNC a great option off the bench
Injuries are the perfect opportunities for other guys to step up. Zayden High, North Carolina's top post option off its bench, is the guy in question here.
High thrived in his first-ever start against Pitt on Valentine's Day, scoring a career-high 15 points. On Tuesday at NC State, High recorded his first career double-double.
In a UNC-best 19 minutes off the bench on Saturday at Syracuse, High netted nine points and recorded 11 rebounds.
High gives the Tar Heels what they lacked all season: a productive big man off the bench.
Free throws are still a problem
There was hope UNC fixed its free throw issues, especially after shooting well from the charity stripe in its past few games.
North Carolina turned in one of its worst performances at the free throw line on Saturday, making just 15 of 28 (54 percent) attempts. Derek Dixon made both his free throws, while everyone else at the line struggled.
This didn't matter much in the end result, but the Tar Heels have to fix these issues before postseason play.
UNC's perimeter defense played a major factor
It's no secret the Tar Heels struggle defending from deep at times. Such wasn't the case on Saturday afternoon, with North Carolina turning in one of its best performances.
UNC held Syracuse to just three perimeter makes on 17 attempts, which is an ice-cold 18 percent. North Carolina forced the Orange to drive inside, which they had success with at times, but Veesaar's presence made finishes at the rim toughter.
The Tar Heels kept their foot on the gas
Remember when Syracuse came to Chapel Hill earlier in February? UNC led by 32 in the second half, but watched its lead shrink to six points.
North Carolina watched its halftime lead disappear on Saturday, but quickly roared ahead out of the under-12 media timeout. The Tar Heels never left any doubt after that 8-0 run, ending Syracuse's hopes of an upset victory.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball: Five takeaways from beating Syracuse, sweeping series