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UNC Basketball: Luke Maye 2016-17 season review

By Blake Cockrum

Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) reacts after a Tar Heel score against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half during the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) reacts after a Tar Heel score against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half during the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sophomore power forward Luke Maye made the most of his playing time this season, establishing himself as a likely starter in 2017

Brandon Robinson | Shea Rush | Tony Bradley Jr.

When Luke Maye arrived at the University of North Carolina in 2015, expectations were pretty low. And after his freshman season in Chapel Hill, they weren’t a whole lot higher.

Many didn’t believe that an undersized, former four-star recruit would amount to much or substantially contribute for the Tar Heels.

Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Josh Perkins (13) is defended by North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) in the first half in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Josh Perkins (13) is defended by North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) in the first half in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Subscribers of that notion really couldn’t have been more wrong.

For the season, Maye averaged 5.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists. He played almost nine minutes per game more than he did as a freshman and increased his shooting percentage from the floor, the three-point line and the free throw line.

He scored in double-figures just three times before the NCAA Tournament began, but then did it three times in the team’s final six games. He also recorded double-digit rebound games twice this season, including a career-high 15 in a win against Florida State.

Against Kentucky, Maye scored a career-high 17 points, including the game-winning shot that propelled the Tar Heels past the Wildcats and into the Final Four.

So what should fans expect to see from Maye in the coming season?

Well, a lot more playing time, for one thing. Given the loss of senior starters Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks, there’s going to be a lot more playing time to spread amongst the remaining front court players and incoming freshman.

Given his pedigree and potential, Maye is the likely starter at the power forward position for the Tar Heels in 2017.

Yes, his lack of size could create problems for the Tar Heels defensively and on the offensive end of the floor against bigger defenders. However, he has shown that he has ability and isn’t afraid to step up and take a shot, despite the stakes.

Related Story: Which Tar Heels will return to Chapel Hill next season?

His developing skill and fearless nature will vault him into the starting lineup alongside sophomore center Tony Bradley, should the latter choose to return to school.

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