UNC Basketball: Five Resolutions for the Tar Heels in the New Year
By Alec Lasley
Luke Maye Needs to Play at an All-American Level
The Third-Team All-American in 2017, Maye has struggled to play at the same level he did a year ago.
Points per game, rebounds, assists, FG percentage and three pt FG percentage are all down from last season while struggling to find his role on the team.
What normally is cemented by the time they are seniors, Maye’s role has changed all four years, and now so far this year, he is adjusting to another new role.
Averaging just 14.2 points per game, third on the team, Maye’s usage is down four points from last season as Cam Johnson and Coby White have dominated the ball so far this year.
At times last year, Maye found himself playing the five, with Theo Pinson as the four, allowing for many more mismatches in Maye’s favor. So far this year, he has spent most of his time in a two big lineup, but has a much higher production rate as the five, shown by InsideCarolina’s Adrian Atkinson.
Luke Maye Efficiency Margin Splits by Position vs. Tier A&B:
— Adrian Atkinson (@FreeportKid) December 24, 2018
As a 4: +5.2 (137 minutes)
As a 5: +16.6 (57 minutes)
With the inconsistent play from Nassir Little, it has been difficult to go to a smaller lineup for extended minutes, but between last year and the 57 minutes Maye has played at the five this season, it is clear he needs to see more time there.