3 players who need to have a breakout season for the UNC basketball program

Elliot Cadeau is the conductor of this team, moving the ball with precision and purpose.

His development is the most important in the backcourt. As a reclassified freshman, Cadeau posted a very respectable 7.3 points per game on 41.7% shooting, plus dishing out a team best 4.1 assists per game. While he still needs a little more polish, Cadeau is North Carolina’s best pure passer since Kendall Marshall.

However, Cadeau needs to work on his shooting — particularly from three-point range, where he shot under 20%. If he can knock down open threes and shoot at least 30% from deep, this offense will be a headache for opponents. Defenders already need to worry about Cadeau’s elite quickness, his ability to get downhill to the rim and his sixth sense for driving and dishing to teammates.

Once defenders are shown they need to respect Cadeau’s jump shot, it’s game over. The Tar Heels will be able to spread defenses out, creating massive driving and passing lanes. Plus, Cadeau knocking down shots consistently provides another scoring option, taking some pressure off of sharpshooters RJ Davis and Cade Tyson.

Cadeau is due for a breakout sophomore season — and the Tar Heels might just be able to count on him to take them to the next level.