UNC Basketball: Setting Pass/Fail Marks for Key Players in 2015-16

If North Carolina is going to live up to expectations during the 2015-16 season, it will need all of its best players to perform to their abilities.

It's important to use a lot of different factors when judging each player, especially when looking back and considering grades at the end of the year. Still, there should be baseline goals when it comes to major statistics for each member of the team. Anything less would likely be considered a failure at an individual level.

Here is a look at what each top player should be able to provide in points, rebounds and assists per game during the upcoming season. These aren't projections, but instead a minimum of what to expect for a strong year.

Joel Berry II

John Raoux/Associated Press

Passing Stats: 6 PPG, 3.5 APG, 1 RPG

Joel Berry II should have a bigger role in his sophomore season after averaging 4.2 points and 1.5 assists per game as a freshman. His quickness and feel for the game give the point guard plenty of upside, which head coach Roy Williams will likely try to take advantage of in 2015-16.

While the team should have plenty of scoring options, the real challenge will be to replace the 4.3 assists per game lost when J.P. Tokoto declared for the NBA draft. The guard did a great job of moving the ball and finding the open man, something Marcus Paige won't be able to do all by himself.

Berry should be able to provide some much-needed outside shooting and on-ball defense on the perimeter, but his season could very well be judged by his ability to create for others.

Theo Pinson

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

Passing Stats: 8 PPG, 4 RPG, 1.5 APG

Theo Pinson's first season didn't exactly go as planned. Injuries limited him to just 24 appearances and when he did play he was limited to averages of just 12.5 minutes, 2.8 points and three rebounds per game.

The good news is the talent is there to make a big jump in the upcoming season. He will likely play a primary role in filling in for the departed J.P. Tokoto on both ends of the court, and he should be a valuable glue guy in an otherwise experienced lineup.

At 6'6" with slashing ability and athleticism, Pinson can easily score at least eight points per game as long as he gets the playing time. Anything less than this would represent a disappointment for the former McDonald's All-American.

Justin Jackson

Rick Wilson/Associated Press

Passing Stats: 12 PPG, 3 APG, 3.5 RPG

After averaging 10.7 points per game as a freshman, Justin Jackson has the biggest opportunity to take a big leap during his sophomore year. He ended last season as strong as anyone with double-digit points in 11 of his last 12 games while showcasing a strong ability to slash into the lane and score at the rim.

If not for the presence of upperclassmen still on the roster, Jackson would likely be able to contribute 15-20 points per game. In the current situation, though, it would be a surprise to see him improve too much upon his freshman year totals.

Anything greater than 12 points and three assists per game would be valuable, but this should be a baseline for the talented wing.

Kennedy Meeks

Jason Getz/Associated Press

Passing Stats: 10 PPG, 8 RPG, 1 APG

Fans would likely hope for more points per game out of Kennedy Meeks after he averaged 11.4 per game a year ago. However, it's not his scoring that makes the junior such an important part of the team.

Meeks is an imposing presence in the low post who uses his size (6'9", 265 lbs.) to help him on both ends of the court. He is especially valuable on the glass as one of the better rebounders in the nation. He matched Brice Johnson for the team high with a 17.2 rebounding rate, including an impressive 12.8 mark for offensive boards, via Sports Reference.

Even if the big man defers some of his offensive production to other members of the squad, North Carolina will need him to be as good as ever when it comes to rebounding.

Brice Johnson

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

Passing Stats: 13 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1 APG

Brice Johnson is a more consistent scoring option in the frontcourt than Kennedy Meeks, which raises the expectations for him on that end of the court. He has plenty of polish to score with his back to the basket and should be able to add a few baskets just by running the floor on fast breaks.

Even with a lot of depth between Meeks, Joel James, Isaiah Hicks and Luke Maye, Johnson still should be able to improve upon his 12.9 points per game to help create balance offensively.

The senior also needs to remain just as tough as he has been on the defensive side of the court. He had eight double-doubles a year ago and should be capable of many more during the 2015-16 season. If he does this and hopefully adds to his 1.1 blocks per game, this has the makings of a big season.

Marcus Paige

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Passing Stats: 15 PPG, 4 APG, 2.5 RPG

Even with a deep lineup full of talented players, North Carolina needs Marcus Paige to be the go-to scorer on this team. 

He was one of the top guards in the ACC two years ago at 17.5 points per game but struggled with consistency at times his junior year, averaging just 14.1 points per game. If the Tar Heels are going to reach the level many expect of them this year, Paige will need to get back to being aggressive with the ball and scoring both inside and outside the three-point line.

Although it's possible Paige will see his assist numbers go down if UNC goes to a smaller lineup at times, the ball should still be in the senior's hands as much as possible. He should rack up plenty of points and assists at a consistent level throughout the year.

If he struggles, this could end up being a long season for the Tar Heels.

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