Which UNC player will step up while Marcus Paige is injured?

North Carolina’s star guard Marcus Paige will be out three to four weeks, due to fracturing a finger on his right hand. On the bright side, it is not his shooting hand since Paige is left-handed. However, his right hand is necessary obviously for other things such as dribbling, passing, playing defense and rebounding. There are psychological obstacles for Paige to overcome as well, because the pressure is on the preseason No. 1 ranked Tar Heels to win the championship.

There is never anything good about an injury to a player. With that being said, Paige’s injury gives another player the opportunity to become a leader and strut their stuff. There are a few players who come to mind.

Jan 3, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) goes in for the layup while being defended by Clemson Tigers forward Jaron Blossomgame (5) during the first half at Littlejohn Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Berry

Joel Berry’s statistics during the 2014-2015 season did not raise any eyebrows. On the contrary, his improvement throughout the season was impressive; in particular, during the 2015 ACC Tournament. Down the stretch, UNC head coach Roy Williams used lineups with Berry as the point guard and Marcus Paige as the shooting guard. Last season, the torch was passed to Berry to run the team. The only difference between last season and this season is the absence of Marcus Paige. Berry is expected to be starting point guard at the beginning of 2015-2016 season. One of Berry’s best performances last season came against the Wisconsin Badgers. Although UNC lost to Wisconsin 79-72, Berry played berry well (very well; I couldn’t resist the urge!). In 19 minutes, Berry had nine points and three assists. This may not impress you, but let’s look at the fact that he committed no turnovers during this game. The season was on the line and Berry stepped his game up. Berry took this game hard and wants to avenge the loss. Now, he has the chance to lead Carolina without Paige for several games. Berry shot 35% from three-point range as a freshman. With Paige out, Berry will need to assert himself on both ends of the floor. Based on how he finished last season, Berry is ready!

Jan 3, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard/forward Justin Jackson (44) drives to the basket uring the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Littlejohn Coliseum. Tar Heels won 74-50. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Jackson

Jackson is the most versatile player on UNC’s roster this season. Last season, he played three positions: shooting guard, small forward and power forward (sparingly). Jackson played the four, only when UNC went to a small lineup. The irony here is that Jackson is 6’8″ 200 lbs. A small ball lineup for UNC still has a 6’8 stretch four. Jackson is a natural scorer. Last season, he scored in double figures 22 times, including 11 of the last 12 games. Against Wisconsin in last year’s Sweet 16, Jackson went 6 of 11 from the field, 3 of 3 three-point range and finished the game with 15 points. This game marked the third time in the last five post-season games where he led Carolina in scoring. Jackson will be UNC’s go-to player on the perimeter. Good luck to opponents trying to defend a 6’8″ jump shooter.

Kenny Williams

Williams may get the nod to starting at shooting guard. Theo Pinson may be an obvious choice since he is familiar with the system. Though this could be true, Williams is shooter first and foremost. Before you start trolling this article, rewind back to 2012 when a freshman guard from Iowa started the entire. season. It is highly unlikely that Williams will do that; however, he has a chance to start several games. As a freshman, the expectations for Williams are low. He is not expected to be the leading scorer on a veteran team. Williams will not be pressured into becoming “the man” in his freshman season. In the low post, UNC has veteran players in senior forward Brice Johnson and junior center Kennedy Meeks. When you include Jackson and Joel Berry, Williams is a fourth or fifth scoring option at best; that is, while Paige is missing in action. There is a great deal of upside for Williams. He showed in Late Night w/Roy 2015 that he can play both guard positions. Williams’ ballhandling and defense are vastly underrated. If he comes out the box blazing nets like another Williams (i.e. Donald Williams), then UNC will not miss a step while Paige nurses a broken finger.

Feb 28, 2015; Coral Gables, FL, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Brice Johnson (11) dunks the ball as Miami Hurricanes forward Omar Sherman (22) defends in the second half at BankUnited Center. The Tar Heels won 73-64. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Brice Johnson

I have always been a huge fan of Brice Johnson. As a freshman, he showed a low-post game that was advanced. Over the past three seasons, Brice has added muscle and more moves to his post-season. Now, he has the opportunity to be the undisputed leader during Paige’s absence. Last season, Johnson was a third-team All ACC selection and a first-team All-ACC Tournament selection. He ended the season on a good note. Coming into this season, Johnson needs to ride last season’s momentum for Carolina to take the next step – becoming national champions. Brice brings toughness to Carolina’s low-post. He is the team’s best shot blocker and one of the leading rebounders. During the 2014-2015 season, Johnson was UNC’s second-leading scorer (12.9 ppg), leading rebounder (7.8 rbg) and leading blocker (1.1 bpg). The only Carolina player with a higher field goal percentage than Johnson last season was Jackson Simmons; however, he averaged 3.6 minutes per game compared to Johnson’s 24.7 minutes per outing. During Paige’s absence, UNC will rely heavily on Brice Johnson. Since numbers don’t lie, it is safe to assume that Johnson is up to the challenge because he has improved gradually each season in Chapel Hill.

Roy Williams will have to determine whether Nate Britt, Joel Berry or Kenny Williams will be the starting point guard. This decision influences who will be the starting shooting guard. Do not be surprised if Williams spends more time at the point guard position rather than the shooting guard position in the beginning. In typical Roy Williams fashion, several combinations of players will be tested to determine the best fit for the team. Regardless of who starts and plays, the North Carolina Tar Heels are favorites to cut down the nets in April 2016. The first obstacle for the team is to play without Marcus Paige. Sink or swim. Pass this test and UNC increases their chances of being the best NCAA team in the nation at season’s end.