UNC Basketball: What’s next for Tar Heels heading into offseason?

Monday’s title game presents the official end of March Madness. With that said, it’s time to turn to the offseason. After losing in the Sweet 16, what’s next for UNC Basketball heading into the summer?

Losing is not something that anyone enjoys, nor is it a desirable outcome. Yet, for over 300 collegiate programs hoping to end the season on top, with the sweet taste of everlasting glory that comes with a NCAA Championship, they’re doomed to watch the madness from home. UNC was not spared from this cruel fate, with two impressive wins over Iona and Washington being washed away by a mauling by the hands of the Auburn Tigers.

Kicked out of the not-so-Sweet 16, Roy Williams and his group of experienced Tar Heels were sent packing, left to watch where the remaining ACC schools ended up. Florida State fell to Gonzaga; duke would survive against Virginia Tech before ultimately succumbing to a Final-Four-bound Michigan State team; but Virginia, the very same team that became the first program to fall to a No. 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament last year, would make it to the national championship game.

For UNC, the players, coaches, and die-hard fans would very much like for the outcome to be different, for the Tar Heels to be competition for another title instead of their ACC counterparts. But that isn’t the case, and instead of focusing on a ballgame, they must turn their attention to the offseason with many questions left to answer.

Several players — three seniors and two freshmen — will be leaving the program in the coming months, due to graduation or the NBA Draft, and Roy Williams will have a tall task ahead of him, with empty roster spots to fill and plenty of production to be replaced.

This summer looks to be quite long for the Hall of Fame coach and his prestigious program. So, what’s next for UNC?