Feb 20, 2016 12:30 PM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

The North Carolina Tar Heels (5) recent struggles have now brought them to within one loss of falling off the ACC lead as they host the Miami Hurricanes (11).

North Carolina is in need of a confidence booster after losing to Duke on its home court Thursday, and they would love to cap their week still the first-place team in the ACC. But Miami has been surging, coming into Chapel Hill winning five straight and eight overall in its last nine games.

Tipoff: 1 p.m. ET in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Line: North Carolina -6.5

TV: CBS

Watch live online: CBSSports.com

Listen live online: TuneIn Radio

After an 8-0 start to its ACC schedule, North Carolina has won just twice in its last five games, recording losses against Louisville, Notre Dame, and Duke. The Tar Heels have yet to beat a nationally ranked ACC foe, and still have to play Virginia and Duke on the road after hosting Miami Saturday.

Miami's schedule has been relatively light of late, but plays four straight games against currently-ranked ACC teams: North Carolina (road), Virginia (home), Louisville (home), and Notre Dame (road).

"These are very challenging games," Miami head coach Jim Larranaga said in a pregame press conference, "but ones you look forward to."

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