UNC Basketball: 5 questions facing the 2018-19 Tar Heels

How much responsibility can Nassir Little handle?

Heading into this season, many are projecting that Nassir Little will be one of the most impactful freshmen in the country. As the No. 3 player in the entire 2018 class, these expectations are not altogether surprising. Still, even though he is extremely talented and highly-touted, it is reasonable to question just how much responsibility he can handle as a freshman.

It will obviously help that the Tar Heels have two proven studs in Luke Maye and Cameron Johnson but the team needs a third star and the heavy favorite for that role is Little. An elite two-wing oozing with next-level potential, this is a role that Little might be able to fill with relative ease. Despite this idea, not every top-rated freshman is able to post 15+ points per game while playing excellent defense for one of the top teams in the country.

This is about what is expected about of Little heading into this season and, although it is likely that he can achieve these results, it is a lot to ask of a freshman. The known commodities on North Carolina’s roster raise the floor for this team to a top-25 level but the potential of freshman like Little is what makes the team a national title contender.

While many of these questions are not incredibly concerning heading into this season, their answers could dictate just how far the Tar Heels go this season. UNC basketball has high hopes of returning to the Final Four this season and that is not an irrational goal. Although North Carolina might not be receiving the same amount of press as Kentucky or Duke this offseason, the team will be plenty talented.