UNC Basketball: Biggest Lessons from Tar Heels' 2015 Offseason So Far

College basketball season is still more than three months away, but this has already been quite an eventful offseason for North Carolina.

Since losing to Wisconsin in the Sweet 16, Tar Heels fans have only been focused on the future. They want to know who will be on the court next year and beyond, as well as whether or not they have the ability to bring home a sixth national championship.

Although a lot can still change in the coming months, here is a look at what we know from the offseason to this point.

Key Players Want a Championship

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

After reaching the Sweet 16 with a talented roster full of underclassmen, the majority of key players chose to return to school for at least one more year.

Starters Marcus Paige, Justin Jackson, Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks all decided to come back, with only J.P. Tokoto entering the NBA draft. Even before officially making his decision, Paige discussed his motivation going into the 2015-16 season, via Andrew Carter of The News & Observer:

"

I really enjoy being here and being a part of this program. And now I only have one more chance, so I'm going to try to use that as fuel. I can't tell you how much it means to be a part of this place, and I only get one more year and it goes so fast.

I'm going to give everything I have, every single day this offseason to be the best player I can be to help my team. And I hope that's kind of infectious and contagious in the locker room.

"

Each one of the remaining starters has a chance to have a great individual season and help his draft stock for 2016. However, they also know if they work together and play at their best, this can be a memorable year for the program.

Freshman Additions Will Be Valuable

One of the biggest issues for UNC last season was a lack of outside shooters aside from Marcus Paige. That shouldn't be a problem this time around.

Like an NBA contender looking for small upgrades in free agency, North Carolina added a pair of quality freshmen capable of stepping in and playing a major role right away. Kenny Williams is one of the best shooters in the entire class, capable of creating looks for himself or scoring on catch-and-shoot plays. Luke Maye can also hit the outside shot as a stretch 4, creating more openings for the offense down low.

Although both of these players have the upside of stars, as freshmen they will have a specified role of spreading the defense and nailing shots from deep.

If players like Justin Jackson and Theo Pinson also improve their shooting, this could be an even more dangerous team offensively.

Nonconference Schedule Will Provide Unique Challenges

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

One of the big moments from the offseason is always the release of next year's schedule. Fans can get a look at the nonconference opponents and for the first time get a sense of what type of record they can expect.

Of course, on a team with high expectations, you want a list of opponents that will truly challenge the squad as the season progresses. Fortunately, the 2015-16 schedule accomplishes this with a wide variety of contests.

The biggest matchup will come in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge against a familiar foe, Maryland. The Terrapins could end up being one of the top contenders in the country next season thanks to the return of Melo Trimble and Jake Layman. They also added freshman Diamond Stone and Duke transfer Rasheed Sulaimon. 

Texas and UCLA are both expected to have down years, but each have plenty of talent and are programs that will almost always be tough to beat.

Meanwhile, one of the more intriguing battles will come in a road game against Northern Iowa. This is a game few power programs would schedule, but it will give a veteran team a chance to be tested early in the year.

Academic Scandal Remains Biggest Storyline

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

In June, the NCAA released its findings on an academic scandal and charged North Carolina with lack of institutional control and providing extra benefits to athletes. The problem is, we still don't know how this will affect the basketball team.

Some believe Roy Williams will be punished for his role, similar to Jim Boeheim of Syracuse. On the other hand, the head coach maintains his innocence.

"I'm still ticked off that we're in a problem to begin with," Williams said last month, via Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports. "I'm embarrassed by it. I've said that publicly and I'm frustrated by it. But at the same time, I've said I felt very comfortable for a long time."

He believes he hasn't done anything wrong, but the NCAA has the final say in this regard. It remains to be seen whether the coach or team will suffer with suspensions, loss of scholarships or potential postseason bans.

Until there is some sort of closure, this dark cloud will loom over the program.

Scandal Hasn't Slowed Recruiting...Yet

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

The 2016 recruiting class will be a big one. No matter what happens next season, the team will lose Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson and possibly a lot more key contributors to the NBA.

On the plus side, the upcoming class features a number of elite prospects that call North Carolina home, including Harry Giles, Dennis Smith Jr. and Edrice Adebayo. Then again, these players are also considering Duke and North Carolina State, which could create major swings in the future of the ACC.

While few of the top players have made their final decisions, all of the aforementioned recruits are heavily considering the Tar Heels. Josh Jackson, Miles Bridges, Kobi Simmons and others have also kept UNC in their lists of final schools.

So far, the team has convinced recruits that there will not be any sanctions against the program, according to Carter. However, any news regarding punishment could change the mindset.

In either case, the Tar Heels must find a way to lock down as many top options as possible.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for year-round college basketball talk and more sports analysis.