UNC Basketball: Ranking the Best Players the Tar Heels Will Face in 2016-17

North Carolina will once again go through one of the tougher schedules in college basketball in 2016-17, which will give the team a chance to face some of the best players in the sport.

Although we don't yet know the exact ACC schedule, the conference is always loaded, and next year won't be any different. Head coach Roy Williams also made sure the non-conference schedule features its fair share of challenges.

The Tar Heels could potentially have an improved defensive squad next season if Theo Pinson and Isaiah Hicks move into the starting lineup, but they will still have a hard time with a number of top players at just about every position.

Here is a look at the top opponents UNC will have to plan for over the course of the upcoming year.

Honorable Mentions

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De'Aaron Fox, Kentucky: Although Kentucky should once again be one of the best teams in the country, there aren't exactly the types of can't-miss prospects we are used to seeing in Lexington. With that said, Bam Adebayo, Malik Monk and De'Aaron Fox should once again make the Wildcats a dangerous opponent.

Fox might be the toughest matchup for UNC thanks to his size, athleticism and length at the point guard position. Joel Berry could especially have a difficult game going against the freshman in the CBS Sports Classic.

Dwayne Bacon, Florida State: Malik Beasley became a first-round pick this past season and Jonathan Isaac could be one next year, but don't overlook Dwayne Bacon at Florida State. The freshman led the Seminoles with 15.8 points per game last year as a major slashing threat and could be even better if he improves his outside shot.

Jack Gibbs, Davidson: It says a lot about the competition when a player who averaged 23.4 points per game last season can't even crack the top five. Jack Gibbs plays for a small school but is one of the best scoring guards in college basketball, topping 40 points in three different games last year.

Add in averages of 4.9 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game, and Gibbs is a true difference-maker at any level.

Dennis Smith, North Carolina State: Although he is coming off an ACL injury, Dennis Smith is one of the most talented players in the 2016 class. DraftExpress predicts him to be the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft.

He and Omer Yurtseven will make North Carolina State once again a serious threat in the ACC.

Harry Giles, Duke: Like Smith, we don't exactly know what to expect after missing his entire high school senior season with a knee injury. For Harry Giles, it was his second major surgery in his young career.

When healthy, though, the forward is as good as anyone in college basketball as a 6'10" big man who can play inside while also possessing guard handle. North Carolina better hope the Blue Devils bring him along slowly.

5. Jaron Blossomgame, Clemson

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If Jaron Blossomgame continues to improve the way he has his first three years in college, Clemson could become a legitimate contender in the ACC.

The first-team All-ACC player averaged 18.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game last year while knocking down 44.1 percent of shots from three-point range. His scoring jumped 5.6 points from the year before, which had jumped 8.2 points from his freshman season.

Blossomgame is a tough matchup for anyone as someone who can use his strength inside while also showcasing plenty of scoring ability from the perimeter. Add in his 1.3 blocks per game, and it's clear he is an impact player on both ends of the court.

In a conference of big names from major programs, Blossomgame has a chance to be one of the best in the ACC.

4. Thomas Bryant, Indiana

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Yogi Ferrell is gone, but Indiana will still be a top contender thanks in part to Thomas Bryant down low.

The 6'10" center provided the perfect balance to a guard-oriented attack last season, averaging 11.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Per 40 minutes, his stats come to 21.0 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.

Although he won't necessarily take this big of a jump, it's not out of the question to see the young big man make massive improvements to his sophomore year. He is already a great athlete with good instincts around the net while even being a threat to step out and hit a jumper when left open.

He could become one of the most dangerous big men in the country and a major annoyance for North Carolina during the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. 

3. Jayson Tatum, Duke

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The 2016 recruiting class might be one of the best we have seen in years, and Jayson Tatum might be the most prepared to make an impact of anyone.

Like other Duke stars such as Brandon Ingram and Jabari Parker before him, Tatum is an offensive mismatch with ideal NBA size for a wing but can stretch the floor with his shooting ability. What separates the incoming freshman is his advanced mid-range game which allows him to create his own shot and get easy looks at the basket.

With the Blue Devils having so many quality options around the floor at all times, Tatum should end with a whole lot of open looks next season.

North Carolina is one of the few teams that can match up with Tatum on the wing with 6'8" Justin Jackson. However, the rising junior needs to improve on the defensive end in order to help his team win this rivalry.

2. Dillon Brooks, Oregon/Nigel Hayes, Wisconsin

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This is cheating a bit since neither are technically currently on the schedule. However, both Oregon and Wisconsin are in the Maui Invitational bracket next season and there is a high chance UNC faces one of these teams, either in the finals or consolation round.

Oregon should be one of the top teams in the country next season after returning its key players from last year's Elite Eight squad. Tyler Dorsey and Chris Boucher could both have big years, but the real threat is Dillon Brooks after he led the team with 16.7 points per game last season.

The 6'7" wing is one of the most versatile players in the country, capable of defending just about any position 1 through 5 and showing he is more than comfortable just about anywhere on the floor. He can run the offense like a point guard (he averaged 3.1 assists last year), but was often the biggest man on the court in a smaller attack.

North Carolina will struggle to find an ideal matchup for the rising junior.

If the Tar Heels face Wisconsin, the task won't be much easier because Ethan Happ and Bronson Koenig flank star forward Nigel Hayes. The 6'8" forward struggled as a shooter last year while shooting just 29.3 percent from beyond the arc, but he knocked down 39.6 percent of his outside shots the year before.

With his ability to create his own shot, Hayes could be one of the top scorers in college basketball if he can regain his consistency from two years ago.

1. Grayson Allen, Duke

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North Carolina fans won't want to admit it, but Grayson Allen might be one of the favorites to win the National Player of the Year award next season.

The Duke guard went from little-used bench player as a freshman to legitimate superstar as a sophomore, averaging 21.6 points per game. He even had great efficiency while making 41.7 percent of his three-point shots and 83.7 percent of free-throw attempts.

All of a sudden, he's the player opposing coaches would most want on their team, according to Gary Parrish of CBS Sports. 

"I think Grayson Allen will be the best scorer in college basketball playing for the best team in the country," a coach told Parrish. "He has that attitude similar to Draymond Green. He just doesn't give a crap and plays with a swagger."

Although his scoring might go down as he shares the ball with his new teammates, Allen should still be a major offensive threat and the best player North Carolina will face all season.

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