UNC Basketball: Questions Fans Want Answered Before 2016-17 Season

Thanks to some key players returning to school, there will be plenty of continuity heading into the 2016-17 season for North Carolina. However, that doesn't mean we know everything there is to know about this team.

The Tar Heels players will spend the offseason working on their game and preparing to step into different roles. Who will fill what roles and how successful they will be are some of the bigger questions left to be answered over the coming months.

While the big question of whether this team can improve upon last year's result and win a national championship won't be answered until April, some of the smaller issues will likely be solved by the first few games, if not before.

Here is a look at some of the questions fans will be asking until the games get started in November.

Who Will Be a Leader for This Team?

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North Carolina is losing a lot with departed seniors Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson. Both of them were productive players during their careers, but more than that, they were leaders with multiple years of experience in the starting lineups.

The Tar Heels will need multiple players to become leaders and examples in the locker room as well as go-to options on the court.

There will be seniors on the roster, including returning starter Kennedy Meeks. Nate Britt and Isaiah Hicks are also heading into their fourth years on the team and can impart plenty of wisdom on the younger players.

Meanwhile, juniors Joel Berry and Justin Jackson could see their production rise this year while becoming the top dogs offensively.

All of them can take on various roles over the course of the year, but status quo will not be good enough to win games next season.

Will Theo Pinson Slide into Starting Lineup?

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The Tar Heels return three starters, and unless there is an injury, Berry, Jackson and Meeks will almost certainly stay where they are. Berry will also now be the undisputed point guard after sharing the ball at times with Paige last season.

Hicks is a safe bet to replace Johnson at power forward as well despite only starting a handful of games last season. The rising senior has played well when given a chance over the past two years, and with both Johnson and Joel James out of the picture, there is no one else to trust.

However, there should be more debate about the 2-guard spot. Britt has his virtues as a steady guard who makes few mistakes and can knock down shots. Incoming freshmen Seventh Woods and Brandon Robinson will also get their chance to show what they can do. Still, the odds-on favorite to earn the starting spot has to be Theo Pinson.

While Pinson is coming off a disappointing sophomore season where he averaged just 4.5 points per game, he still possesses plenty of potential as an athletic guard who can fill up the box score. He isn't a great shooter, but he can attack the basket as a slasher while also being able to find open teammates around the court. With an above-average defensive ability, he could even be an upgrade at the position if he plays to his potential.

Unfortunately, nothing is guaranteed at this level, especially when all you have to go on is upside.

Can the 2015 Class Make a Contribution?

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There weren't high hopes for the 2015 freshman class. Neither Luke Maye nor Kenny Williams was an especially highly touted recruit, and the tandem combined to make just the No. 67 class in the country, per 247Sports.

Even with low expectations, this duo still managed to disappoint while combining for just 63 points the entire season, with neither averaging more than six minutes per game.

Both players still have plenty of potential. Maye showcased quality rebounding when he was on the floor this past year and has a good shooting touch out to three-point range. Williams couldn't find consistency as a shooter but can be above average in this area with the athleticism to become a quality scorer.

With more opportunity for playing time, this duo could take another step toward being productive members of the rotation.

Of course, in both cases, we will believe it when we see it. With the incoming freshmen all capable of playing early, Maye and Williams could find themselves once again at the end of the bench.

Will Frontcourt Still Dominate Glass?

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One of the biggest cornerstones of Roy Williams' teams is the ability to dominate the rebounding game, especially on the offensive end.

According to KenPom.com, the team ranked third in the country in offensive rebounding percentage last season and ranked in the top 30 in all but one of the 13 seasons Williams has been with the team.

While the team will miss Johnson a lot in this area, Meeks and Hicks represent a quality tandem who can attack the basket after missed shots and get easy putbacks. The problem might come from depth, especially considering neither player has shown he can play more than 25 minutes in a game.

Maye knows how to position himself to get rebounds but might not be athletic enough to consistently grab boards against ACC competition. Tony Bradley should get plenty of playing time early, although he is relatively raw and could also struggle against top teams.

The Tar Heels go from a wealth of depth and experience in the frontcourt to a lot of unknowns. This could take away what is usually an advantage for the program.

Can Individuals Improve Three-Point Shooting?

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North Carolina made just 32.7 percent of its three-point attempts as a team last season. This didn't hurt too much, as the Tar Heels made the national title game, but it's also a lot easier to win games when the team is making outside shots (just ask Indiana).

It's hard to imagine a big jump next year, especially with Paige gone, but a few players should expect to make some improvements in their shooting.

Berry is the only consistent option returning after knocking down 38.2 percent last season, although he could still get better. Nate Britt has been a better shooter in the past than his 32.5 percent, so hopefully he will revert to his normal level.

Two of the bigger X-factors are rising juniors Pinson and Jackson—players who aren't afraid to attempt outside shots but haven't been successful in their careers. If they can get more confidence and develop their shots, the entire offense will be better.

Meanwhile, Maye (2-of-7 last season) and Williams (1-of-13) came into last year with reputations of being shooters and will hopefully showcase this ability during their sophomore campaigns.

If this group of players can improve like it's capable of, North Carolina will be that much more dangerous. 

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for year-round sports analysis.