RALEIGH, N.C. (Interstat) — A pivotal Atlantic Coast Conference clash is set for Tuesday when the 20-5 North Carolina Tar Heels visit the 18-8 North Carolina State Wolfpack at Lenovo Center. The Tar Heels, riding high after a 79-65 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday, enter with a strong conference standing. They have won seven of their last eight games, with their only stumble in that stretch a 75-66 loss at Miami on Feb. 10. Sophomore forward Jarin Stevenson has been a key catalyst, coming off a 19-point performance against Pitt and averaging 14.4 points over his last five contests. The Wolfpack aim to rebound from a heartbreaking 77-76 home loss to Miami on Saturday. Despite that result, they had won six of seven prior, including notable road victories at Pittsburgh and Clemson. Graduate forward Ven-Allen Lubin has been a force, averaging a double-double in February with 17.3 points and 10.3 rebounds over his last three games, while also providing a major defensive presence with 12 blocks in that span. This rivalry meeting carries significant weight for postseason positioning. North Carolina’s potent offense, which has scored 85 or more points in four of its last six wins, will test a Wolfpack defense that has been inconsistent, most recently in a 118-77 road loss to Louisville. The Tar Heels won the season’s first meeting, 87-77, in Chapel Hill on Feb. 2. Stevenson scored seven points in that victory, while Lubin did not play for the Wolfpack. Tuesday’s result will impact the upper tier of the ACC standings as the regular season enters its final weeks. For North Carolina State, a win would bolster its NCAA tournament resume with a signature victory. For North Carolina, it is a chance to solidify its hold on a high conference seed and complete a regular-season sweep of its rival. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.