UNC Basketball: Most Important Games on Tar Heels' 2014-15 Schedule
North Carolina lost in heartbreaking fashion to Iowa State in the round of 32 in last season’s NCAA tournament, but there is reason to believe it could be one of the nation’s best teams in 2014-15.
After all, Marcus Paige is a legitimate All-American candidate. J.P. Tokoto, Kennedy Meeks and Brice Johnson provide some stability, and freshmen Justin Jackson and Theo Pinson have particularly high ceilings.
However, North Carolina has to win some critical games during the regular season first to put itself in position for a successful tournament run. Coach Roy Williams certainly thinks the schedule will be difficult, based on comments from GoHeels.com:
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"We want a great schedule. This is my 12th year (as head coach at UNC). In our previous 11 years our schedule has been in the top 50 in the country every year and in 10 it's been in the top 25 according to strength of schedule.
This one may be a little off the charts.
"
The schedule is quite challenging, but some games are more important than others. Let’s take a look at those.
* Note: While the Tar Heels could play some combination of UCLA, Florida, Wisconsin or Georgetown in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament early in the year, we avoided those contests because we are not quite sure who those opponents will be based on how the games unfold.
December 13 at Kentucky
This showdown between two blue-blood programs of college basketball squaring off in a legendary venue is sure to capture the nation’s attention.
The Kentucky Wildcats will be one of the best teams in the country yet again after a number of players came back to school after a run to the national title game. Among those are Willie Cauley-Stein, Andrew Harrison and Aaron Harrison, who give John Calipari impressive options down low and on the perimeter.
Dakari Johnson and Alex Poythress also make this a more veteran group than some fans are accustomed to, which will help with the pressure that comes with playing at Kentucky.
Still, this is a Calipari team we are talking about. Of course, the newcomers are going to play a major role, and this year’s group includes Karl Towns, Trey Lyles, Devin Booker and Tyler Ulis. Calipari has talent, depth, experience and versatility across the court, and the wins are sure to follow.
The Wildcats could be a top-five team all year, which means a victory in a true road game would be astronomically important for the Tar Heels. It would give them serious ammunition come Selection Sunday for seeding purposes and would be a major confidence boost heading into ACC play.
That may ultimately be asking too much, but there is a lot on the table in this contest.
December 20 vs. Ohio State (in Chicago)
This game against Ohio State is on here for a reason, even if there may be a couple of more difficult ones.
We are working under the assumption that the Tar Heels drop the game in Kentucky in front of a raucous crowd. That means they will need a marquee nonconference win to make up for that, and this is a golden opportunity to do just that against a young team that will be much better in March than December.
The Buckeyes lost Aaron Craft, Lenzelle Smith and LaQuinton Ross but brought in a loaded recruiting class that is spearheaded by D’Angelo Russell, Keita Bates-Diop and Jae’Sean Tate. If you throw those guys in with the speedy Shannon Scott, Marc Loving and Sam Thompson, it is rather clear that this team will look to run all year.
Even big man Anthony Lee can get out in transition if needed.
This will be a solid test for the Tar Heels’ transition game on a neutral floor. The advantage here is Paige, who will have the experience edge over Russell and the ball-handling abilities to prevent the defensive-stalwart Scott from racking up too many steals.
When the Buckeyes freshmen develop over the course of the year and hit their stride, they should make serious noise in the loaded Big Ten. That would make a North Carolina win in this one look even better for the Tar Heels come Selection Sunday.
March 7 vs. Duke
No introduction is needed here—a clash between Duke and North Carolina is bound to make any list of the most important games.
However, this one in Chapel Hill is especially important because it is the last game of the regular season and represents North Carolina’s chance to avoid a season sweep if the Blue Devils win in Cameron.
More than just bragging rights could be on the line, though, since both teams have ACC title aspirations and visions of a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Winning a high-stakes rivalry game like this would make a serious impression on the selection committee in March.
The Blue Devils will be one of the best teams in the nation with freshmen Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jones and Justise Winslow to go along with veterans Quinn Cook, Rasheed Sulaimon and Amile Jefferson. Mike Krzyzewski has options all over the floor, but having elite players at center and point guard means the Blue Devils are primed for a big season.
Okafor will dominate down low on both sides thanks to his strength, rebounding prowess and array of low-post moves. It will also help having a pass-first point guard like Jones setting the table for the big man, and Okafor’s presence will open up shooters on the outside.
Okafor and Winslow also shore up the defense, which was a serious concern last year.
Winslow in particular is critical here, as he can guard four different positions effectively. Adam Rowe of 247Sports noted that Winslow caught plenty of eyes on that side of the ball before he even made it to college:
Duke and North Carolina may just be the class of the ACC this year. Just like it’s supposed to be.
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