UNC Basketball: This year’s Tar Heels compared to last year’s team

Joel Berry: From role player to leader of the Tar Heels

Berry’s coming-out party took place during the 2015-16 season. As a sophomore in that season, Berry took over the point guard duties from Marcus Paige.

This change resulted in Berry becoming the floor general for the UNC Tar Heels.

Berry’s progression from his freshman season to his sophomore season was evident when he earned the honor as Most Valuable Player of the 2016 ACC Tournament. Berry won this honor ahead of Brice Johnson (a first-team All-American and first-team All-ACC player), Paige and Justin Jackson.

Last season, Berry was not a primary option offensive option for the Tar Heels. The go-to players were Johnson and Paige. Jackson was the third option.

This season, Berry is one of the two primary players for UNC; the other player is Jackson. Although Jackson leads UNC in scoring, Berry is the most important player. As the point guard, Berry runs the offense. He understands how to maintain the pace and flow of the game.

As well, Berry knows how to set his teammates.

There is an art to passing the ball. An intelligent point guard gets this.

For instance, Jackson shoots the ball best when he is in transition and when he comes off screens. Although he has the ability to post up players, Jackson prefers to get the ball in certain places.

Berry understands where Jackson needs to get the ball and how he prefers to shoot the ball.

Berry realizes how all of his teammates want the ball.

His leadership has become the identity of this year’s Tar Heels. When Berry missed several games this season, the Tar Heels struggled to score. On a bigger scale, UNC had a difficult time winning games without Berry.

Next: Roy Williams addresses Oregon game

North Carolina will not win the national championship without Berry. As long as he plays, UNC has a good chance to cut down the nets in a couple of days.