UNC Basketball: Ranking the Biggest Games Left on Tar Heels' Schedule

North Carolina has reached the home stretch of the 2014-15 season. Eight games remain, and just two are against an opponent currently ranked in the Top 25 (Duke and Duke!).

Five of the eight contests are on the road, adding a wrinkle to what could have been looked at as a string of easy victories against inferior challengers. Of course, no game is a guaranteed win, especially for UNC, a team struggling to find consistency and give 100 percent effort through 40-minute games.

However, for their psyche, their resume and in terms of toughest tests, these are the biggest games remaining for the Tar Heels this season.

1. Versus Duke, March 7

Having home-court advantage should make this the easier of the two games coming up against Duke. However, the need to hold serve at home makes this match more important. There is no shame in splitting a home-and-home series.

But losing the back end if the Heels fall in the first match would be demoralizing.

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2. At Duke, February 18

This one will be tough playing in Cameron Indoor. It also doubles as the final game of a three-game road trip starting February 7.

Winning on the road is tougher and thus thought of as more valuable in terms of building a postseason resume. However, it is also a bit of a luxury. UNC doesn't need to win this one as much as the home game to finish out the year.

3. At Pittsburgh, February 14

It's bad enough that Pittsburgh proved its mettle by toppling Notre Dame on January 31. With the Duke game just four days later, it will be hard not to glance ahead and lose concentration on the Panthers.

Fortunately for UNC, Pittsburgh will be smack dab in the middle of its ACC gauntlet. If playing three Top 10 teams in the span of four games earlier wasn't bad enough, Pitt also will see the Heels in the middle of playing three Top 12 teams in six days.

4. Versus NC State, February 24

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Carolina escaped with a two-point win the first time these two squared off. NC State collected 53 points in the second half that game, and its three-point arsenal remains worrisome. It is hard to imagine Trevor Lacey and Ralston Turner will shoot a combined 6-of-20 from three again, even playing this one on the road.

To add a level of intrigue, UNC has two road games immediately following this contest, bookended by Duke. It won't do anything to help the Tar Heels' issue with effort by treating this like a gimme sandwiched between tough foes.