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March Madness: Why Marcus Paige is key for a UNC Final Four Run

By Horran Cameron

Nov 21, 2015; Cedar Falls, IA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) looks to the scoreboard near the end of their game against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the second half at McLeod Center. Northern Iowa won 71-67. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Cedar Falls, IA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) looks to the scoreboard near the end of their game against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the second half at McLeod Center. Northern Iowa won 71-67. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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We break down why Marcus Paige is UNC’s biggest key for a Final Four run

Marcus Paige has not been the same this season.

As a sophomore and junior, he was the best player on Carolina’s roster. As a senior, Paige was not UNC’s best player due to the emergence of Brice Johnson and Joel Berry. This is not necessarily a bad thing, though because North Carolina’s team has improved a great deal since last season.

When it comes to Paige’s production, compared to other years his numbers are down. Paige had his best season as a sophomore. Some of his success attributed to P.J. Hairston’s departure from the team. Paige was thrust into the role as the main scorer for the Tar Heels.

In those seasons, he finished the season averaging 17.5 points, 3 rebounds and 4 and a half assists per game while making 87 percent of his free throws, 44 percent of his field goals and 38.9 percent of his three-pointers.

This season Paige is averaging 12.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and nearly 4 assists per game.

Feb 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils players celebrate as North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) walks off the court after the game. The Duke Blue Devils defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 74-73 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils players celebrate as North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) walks off the court after the game. The Duke Blue Devils defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 74-73 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Despite low numbers, Paige has had a few standout performances this season. He scored 21 points against Notre Dame, 30 points against Florida State and 20 points twice (Maryland and Texas). Clearly, Paige still has game. If not, these performances would not exist. In the past, Paige was more consistent with his scoring.

A better explanation for his recent decline could be his health. Paige missed the first six games of this season due to fracturing the right metacarpal in his right hand on November 3, 2015. Although Paige shoots left-handed, his right hand is necessary for dribbling and positioning the basketball when he shoots. Possibly, Paige experiences discomfort from this injury, though this remains unknown.

Paige’s decline has relegated him to a lesser role. He was once the focal point of opposing defenses. This may become an advantage in the tournament with Berry’s heightened play and Johnson’s star-studded season. His shooting creates spacing for Carolina’s low post, as well as more room for Berry to penetrate and make plays.

Paige has become an “x-factor” for the Tar Heels. If he scores 20 points, it is merely a bonus for UNC because they have proved to others they do not have to depend on Paige to win games. During his shooting slump, Berry, Isaiah Hicks, Justin Jackson, Johnson and Kennedy Meeks elevated their play and had starring roles in key wins this season.

Marcus Paige is capable of scoring 20 or 30 points any given game. Just ask Florida State, Maryland and Texas. As a sophomore, Paige carried the Tar Heels to an overtime win in Raleigh versus N.C. State by scoring 35 points. He sank the game-winning field goal in this game, while being defended by a 6’9″ player.

In the ACC Tournament, Paige’s best performance was a 16-point, seven-assist game where UNC beat Notre Dame by 31 points. In the championship game, Paige focused on being a defensive specialist to secure a win for the Tar Heels. Paige defended the current ACC Player of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, better than anyone else this entire season. Although Paige missed all seven of his three-pointers, he finished the game with 13 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals. In addition, he held Brogdon to 15 points (made six of his 22 field goals).

More tar heels: More March Madness coverage

The best is yet to come for Marcus Paige. A true leader knows when to lead and when to follow. The best leaders are also the best followers. Paige epitomizes these statements in every way.

His humility this season has been one of the underlying reasons why the North Carolina Tar Heels are poised to win a national championship. Paige’s modesty is obvious in the interview below, after UNC’s win against Virginia in the 2016 ACC Championship game.

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