UNC Basketball: 5 Early storylines for 2018-19 season

Which senior will step up as a leader?

The departures of Joel Berry and Theo Pinson not only leave voids in the starting lineup but their leadership roles will need to be filled as well.

Naturally, we like to point to a senior to step up and become a leader and the first guy we think of is Luke Maye. The forward decided to return to UNC for his senior season and admitted that losing that early in the NCAA Tournament was part of the reason why he returned.

Maye is the likely candidate to fill the leadership void and help mentor the youth on this roster.

He had a breakout season in his junior year and really started to develop as a player both on and off the court. Maye’s experience will be big for the Tar Heels as he’s been to two Final Fours in his three years.

There’s also the possibility of the senior class as all becoming leaders. Both Kenny Williams and Cam Johnson are returning for their senior years with Johnson coming back for his fifth year and second with the Tar Heels program.

Last season, we really didn’t see any of the three take over and become a leader. Some of that was because Berry & Pinson were both on the team, providing that experience.

With talented underclassmen like Nassir Little, Rechon Black, Coby White, Sterling Manley, Garrison Brooks and Brandon Huffman on the roster, there’s going to be some growing pains at times. That’s when the Tar Heels will need some leaders to step in and fight through the adversity.

Who will step up and be that guy?