Virginia Basketball: 5 Most Important Games Remaining for Cavaliers

The ACC in 2014-15 is loaded. Currently, the conference has six schools in the Top 25, including three of the top six teams in the country. That doesn't include the University of Pittsburgh or Syracuse University, either. 

For the No. 6 Virginia Cavaliers, who improved to 10-0 on Thursday, repeating as ACC champs won't be easy.

The Hoos have won nine of their 10 games by at least 11 points. Two teams that were supposed to challenge Virginia—Maryland and VCU—lost to the Cavaliers by 11 and 17 points, respectively. 

Things will pick up for the Hoos in January, though. ACC play will open, and it can be brutal. 

Here is a look at the five most important games remaining on Virginia's 2014-15 schedule.

Jan. 3, 2015, at Miami

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Miami guard Sheldon McClellan

Since Jim Larranaga took over as Miami's basketball coach a few years ago, the Hurricanes have actually become a basketball school.

Well, maybe not. Miami will always be known for its legendary football program, but the 'Canes have been much better on the hardwood than the gridiron over the last several years. 

Currently 9-1 and ranked No. 18, Miami has wins at Florida and over Illinois on the season. The Hurricanes feature an outstanding backcourt and will be Virginia's first conference opponent. That game will be played in Coral Gables. 

Virginia can ill afford to lose the conference opener, and that's possible against Miami.

Jan. 31, 2015, vs. Duke

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Jahlil Okafor

Defeating Duke is never easy. Defeating Duke in 2014-15 is especially tough. Outside of Kentucky, Duke has the most talented team in the country. 

Led by freshman Jahlil Okafor, who is a surefire top pick in the NBA draft as soon as next year, the Blue Devils are 10-0 and ranked No. 2 in the country.

Okafor averages 18 points and nine rebounds per game. He is not Duke's only big-time player—far from it. Amile Jefferson, Tyus Jones and Quinn Cook are also terrific players. 

The two schools split last season's matchups. Duke won by four points at Cameron Indoor Stadium in the regular season, while the Hoos won the rematch in the ACC title game.

This game could help determine the top seed in the ACC Tournament. 

Feb. 2, 2015, at North Carolina

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Marcus Paige

North Carolina has long dominated this series. However, things could be shifting a bit. The Tar Heels, currently ranked No. 24, have lost three games thus far, and UVA dominated the Heels last season.

But winning in Chapel Hill has always been especially difficult for the Cavaliers. That won't change this season. The Tar Heels host the Hoos just two days after Virginia's game against Duke and five days before UVA's first meeting with Louisville.

UNC is catching Virginia at just the right time. Can UVA stop Marcus Paige and respond to the adversity of the three difficult challenges within seven days?

This stretch could very well determine if Virginia wins the regular season. 

March 2, 2015, at Syracuse

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Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim

The Cavaliers head to Syracuse for the first time since the Orange entered the ACC last season. The Hoos defeated Syracuse last year to help clinch the ACC regular-season title. But that game was in Charlottesville.

The Carrier Dome is traditionally one of the toughest venues to play at in all of college basketball. The Orange may not be as talented as we're used to seeing them, but they are still an NCAA tournament team. 

Legendary coach Jim Boeheim, much like Tony Bennett, is a defense-first coach. Buckets should be at a premium in this one. 

Will the Cavs be looking ahead to their game at Louisville just five days later? They better not be, or Syracuse will knock them off.

March 7, 2015, at Louisville

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Montrezl Harrell

Rick Pitino and the No. 4 Louisville Cardinals make their ACC debut this season. It should be fun. Unfortunately for Virginia, the Hoos must play the Cardinals twice. 

The first meeting on February 7 takes place in Charlottesville. UVA must win that one. 

The Cavaliers will finish the season with a trip to Louisville and potentially a No. 1 seed in the ACC Tournament on the line. Duke will have something to say about that, too. 

Currently 9-0, the Cardinals have only played one ranked team thus far. They defeated Ohio State 64-56 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. 

Louisville is led by big man Montrezl Harrell. Okafor and Duke may get more headlines, but Harrell is a legitimate first-team All-American candidate. 

While this game may or may not decide the ACC regular-season title, it will have major implications for both schools and their seeding in the NCAA tourney.