Tar Heels Basketball: How UNC should use Marcus Paige

At 6’1″ 175 pounds, Marcus Paige stands as UNC’s undisputed leader. He has started every game he has played as a member of the North Carolina Tar Heels. Tomorrow night, Paige continues his streak as a UNC starter against the No. 2 ranked Maryland Terrapins.

Maryland has a potent starting backcourt with Melo Trimble and Rasheed Sulaimon. (Yes, this is the same Sulaimon who played for the Duke Blue Devils previously.) Maryland’s backcourt averages 26 points per game.

Since Paige is coming back, UNC head coach Roy Williams has the daunting task of deciding who should start alongside Paige. On the bright side, Williams has several options. However, not choosing the right combination could get Carolina off to a bad start. The frontcourt consisting of Justin Jackson (small forward), Brice Johnson (power forward) and Kennedy Meeks (center) is set.

Here is the rundown of who Roy could pick to start on Tuesday evening.

Defensive-minded backcourt 

Jan 10, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard/forward Theo Pinson (1) and guard Marcus Paige (5) and forward Kennedy Meeks (3) react after the game. The Tar Heels defeated the Cardinals 72-71 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Starting Paige at the point guard position and Theo Pinson at the shooting guard gives Carolina their best defensive backcourt. Pinson’s energy has been a catalyst for Carolina on both ends of the floor in Paige’s absence. Pinson matches up with Sulaimon perfectly, as does Paige and Trimble. Paige’s first game back will come against one of the best point guards in the nation. Paige will have his hands full.

Although a Paige/Pinson is great on defense, do not misconstrue what they bring on offense. Both players can hold their own and give Carolina two guards who can create their own shots. In addition, Pinson is having a great season. He ranks second on UNC’s roster in three-point field goal percentage (42.9%). Pinson leads Carolina in assists (5.3), as well.

Most experienced backcourt 

Mar 21, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) pressures Arkansas Razorbacks guard Michael Qualls (24) as North Carolina Tar Heels guard Nate Britt (0) helps out in the second half of a game in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Britt and Paige are the most experienced players in Carolina’s backcourt. When Britt was a freshman, he and Paige orchestrated several impressive wins against several top ranked teams (defending champion No. 3 ranked Louisville, No. 1 ranked Michigan State, No. 11 Kentucky, No. 5 Duke).

One advantage to a Britt/Paige backcourt is the versatility of both players. Both of them are combo guards, capable of playing either position. Paige is a better shooter than Britt. Britt’s shooting has improved tremendously, ever since he became a right-handed shooter last season. As a freshman (and lefty), Britt shot 36.7% from the field, while shooting 25% from three-point range. Last season, Britt had a 38.4% field goal percentage and 36.6% three-point field goal percentage. Currently, Britt shoots 42.5% from the field and leads UNC in three-point field goal percentage (43.5%).

This leads to another advantage to his lineup: having two deadly three-point shooters on the court simultaneously. Britt has been torching nets in Paige’s absence. Now that Paige is back, opposing defenses have to respect Britt’s range. This creates more opportunities for Paige and others on offense.

More poised backcourt 

Jan 5, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams with guard Joel Berry II (2) and guard Marcus Paige (5) and forward Kennedy Meeks (3) and forward Brice Johnson (11) in the second half. The Fighting Irish defeated the Tar Heels 71-70 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Do not be surprised if you see Joel Berry II starting with Paige in the backcourt. Berry’s poise has been a constant in Carolina’s offense this season. At the end of last season, Berry starting coming into his own. His maturity as a leader carried over to this season. During Paige’s absence, Berry started every game at the point guard position. Head coach Roy Williams tends to stick to his guns when it comes to lineups. Sliding in Paige at the shooting guard position along with Berry, Jackson, Johnson and Meeks would not disrupt the lineup a great deal.

Berry’s numbers would be a downside to starting a Berry/Paige backcourt. Berry leads UNC in turnovers this season (2.5 turnovers per game). Although this may be true, Berry’s stats are silently impressive. Currently, he averages 11.3 points per game, 3.7 assists per game, 3.2 rebounds per game and 1.5 steals per game. Berry leads Carolina is steals, tied with Meeks.

Berry and Paige were played a lot of minutes together at the end of last season. Carolina gained a new identity with this backcourt. The team was more under control and poised, being lead by Berry and Paige.

In closing, it does not matter which backcourt Roy Williams chooses to start against Maryland. Every backcourt combination has advantages, so it is a win-win-win situation no matter who starts. In addition, Williams will switch up his lineups throughout the game. There will be times where you will see a three-guard lineup, possibly a four-guard lineup or a traditional lineup (two guards, two forwards, one center). UNC’s current roster gives Williams a plethora of options for his world renown substitutions. One thing will definitely happen though. Marcus Paige will start for the North Carolina Tar Heels on Tuesday night against the Maryland Terrapins.