The $g$-conjecture (or $g$-theorem in the polytopal case) aims the characterize what possible $f$-vectors can arise from simplicial spheres. [Here][1] is some nice history and introduction to the $g$-conjecture by Gil Kalai. In brief the $g$-conjecture says that for a simplicial sphere the $h$-vector should be symmetric and the $g$-vector should be an $M$-vector where $g_i = h_i - h_{i-1}$. [1]: https://gilkalai.wordpress.com/2009/04/04/how-the-g-conjecture-came-about/