North Carolina Basketball: UNC’s 5 Most Important Games Left

Feb 20, 2014; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Brice Johnson (11) and Duke Blue Devils center Marshall Plumlee (40) fight for a rebound. The Tar Heels defeated the Blue Devils 74-66 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

March 7 vs. Duke

The annual regular-season finisher between two of college basketball’s most storied programs always offers plenty of spice. And while Johnson and Meeks will be battling Okafor in the paint, the Tar Heels and Blue Devils may be wrestling for a conference regular-season crown and potential premium seeding in the ACC and NCAA tournaments.

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The program’s faithful will watch with their usual fervor, and cherished bragging rights again will be on the line. But both teams will look to enter the finale holding significant victory streaks, and if North Carolina wants to push the confidence gauge to its highest setting entering postseason play, a win over its biggest rival would accomplish the trick.

Concerns regarding the Tar Heels toughness have elevated into cat calls after their last two performances, but North Carolina can address those concerns and show its mettle down the stretch.

Reel off wins in the five games above and the Tar Heels will become a dangerous team come tournament time. And one that could turn those cat calls into cheers.