UNC Basketball: 5 Most Important Games Remaining for Tar Heels

It has been an up-and-down year already for the North Carolina Tar Heels, but the season is just getting started with a number of notable matchups still on the horizon.

The early part of the season has certainly been more exciting than many fans would have liked to see from the No. 1 team in the preseason polls. The Tar Heels do have good wins over Maryland and others, although losses to Texas and Northern Iowa have left plenty of question marks.

While UNC is still a legitimate title contender, the remaining games have a lot more importance, as the squad needs to prove itself as an elite team. For a few contests on the schedule, it will be especially vital to come through with a win.

Here is a look at the games that won't necessarily be the toughest, but instead the most important left in the 2015-16 season.

Dec. 19 vs. UCLA

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North Carolina has a handful of nonconference games remaining with most of them easy wins, but this one doesn't qualify. UCLA had its problems earlier in the year, but it has been playing as well as anyone in recent weeks with wins over Kentucky and Gonzaga.

The Bruins would create an interesting matchup against the Tar Heels, especially in the frontcourt with Tony Parker and Thomas Welsh against Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks. Every missed shot will be a battle for the rebound, likely deciding the game in this area.

While North Carolina already has a marquee win over Maryland, it's always important to add to the resume. A victory over UCLA at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, would certainly do that, giving the team a high-profile win away from Chapel Hill.

Beating a team that beat Kentucky would especially look good after a few early losses, giving the team some extra confidence heading into the ACC season. 

Jan. 4 at Florida State

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North Carolina has played two games on the road, and it resulted in two losses. There were certainly other factors at play in each contest, but you can't be an elite team without winning in hostile environments.

The next true road game on the schedule comes in January against Florida State, a young team that is only going to get better as the year goes on. Freshmen Malik Beasley and Dwayne Bacon have joined Xavier Rathan-Mayes as one of the best scoring backcourts in the country and certainly among the most exciting.

Meanwhile, the team's size at every position could give the Tar Heels some serious trouble.

All of this pales in comparison to the most important factor, which is simply winning on the road. If North Carolina drops this early ACC game, the struggles will officially become a trend that could impact the remainder of the season.

Feb. 6 at Notre Dame

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One of the biggest question marks for North Carolina this season has been whether it can defend the perimeter. This was never more apparent than the upset loss against Texas, which shot 12-of-24 from beyond the arc.

According to KenPom.com, the team has allowed opponents to shoot 38.4 percent from three-point range, ranking 301st in the nation. No defense in the country allows a higher percentage of points from deep than UNC at 41.9.

The Tar Heels must prove they have what it takes to stop a quality offensive team that knows how to shoot. They will have a great chance against Notre Dame, once again one of the most efficient teams in the country.

Although the Fighting Irish lost Jerian Grant to the NBA, they still have Demetrius Jackson as well as Steve Vasturia and V.J. Beachem, any of whom can hurt you from deep if left open. It will be a real test for North Carolina's defense to slow down a team of this ability. If successful, there won't be many doubts going forward.

Feb. 17 vs. Duke

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Every game against Duke is important for North Carolina fans, but while the road trip is tougher, the home game is certainly more important.

If there is one matchup in the entire season you don't want to lose, it is on your home floor against your hated rival. Picturing Grayson Allen and Brandon Ingram celebrating at the Dean Dome is enough to make any UNC fan cringe.

On the other hand, a home win could lead to plenty of celebrating throughout the streets of Chapel Hill.

This game is also important from a basketball perspective with both teams expected to remain highly ranked throughout the season. With Duke's young squad likely to improve as the year progresses, this late matchup could be another big-time battle between the two blue bloods in the ACC.

Feb. 27 at Virginia

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The ACC media predicted North Carolina and Virginia to finish No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the ACC before the start of the season. While each team has had its stumbles early and other squads have improved, it's still a safe bet these squads will be among the top contenders for a conference title.

This makes the one matchup during the regular season—Feb. 27 in Charlottesville—such an important battle.

With just a week remaining in the regular season after this contest, the outcome could easily decide the ACC Championship. This will certainly bring out a lot of intensity from both sides, especially after a pair of entertaining games a year ago. Virginia got the better of UNC in the regular season, but Justin Jackson carried the Tar Heels to an upset in the ACC tournament. 

The contrasting styles will make this battle extremely entertaining for fans no matter who wins. For the teams, however, this might be the most important game of the year.

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