North Carolina Basketball: 3 ways the Tar Heels will deal with the loss of Joel Berry II

North Carolina Basketball: 3 ways the Tar Heels will replace Joel Berry II for 2018-19

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 18: Joel Berry II #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels leaves the court after their 86-65 loss to the Texas A&M Aggies during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 18, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

2 of 4

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

Senior Leadership

The Tar Heels have two impact seniors returning in Luke Maye and Kenny Williams. Both players were sophomores during the title run and their experience will be invaluable for the new recruits coming into the program.

Head Coach Roy Williams just plugged them into the starting lineup and they proved that they could be relied on to be important pieces to the team’s success.

Both players went from having seasons of averaging single digits for a National Championship team to being impact players the next season. Maye went from averaging 5.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in 2016-17 to averaging 16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game the next season.

Maye will look to see his role expand even more next season. He was certainly the most improved player for the Heels last season.

Kenny Williams had the tough role of trying to replicate what Justin Jackson gave the Tar Heels for four seasons in the starting lineup. He went from averaging 6.2 points per game in the 2016-17 season to averaging 11.4 points per game last season. Williams had the best season he has ever had as a Tar Heel last year and looks to provide senior leadership along with talent next year.

Home/North Carolina Tar Heels