Marcus Paige Gets Aggressive

Before the season started, Roy Williams asked his star point guard Marcus Paige to be more aggressive and not rely as much on the three point shot.

“When we meet with all of our players in the spring and decide two or three things we want them to work on, I wanted Marcus to work on taking the ball to the basket and see if he could get to the free throw line more often,” Williams said. “It’s not his natural game to do it a lot, but we do want him to do it more often.”

As a result, Paige is averaging nearly one less three pointer attempted per game while shooting the highest percentage of his career.

“There’s no question we’d like him to do that and be more aggressive attacking the basket so he can get to the free throw line since he’s such a good free throw shooter,” Williams said.”

Last season Paige averaged a free throw attempt every 11 minutes, but his aggressiveness so far this season has resulted in a free throw attempt every nine minutes.

Paige’s inside-out balance has translated to team success, which can only be bolstered by the return of starting center Kennedy Meeks.

After missing seven games with a bruised knee, his return will allow Williams to play the style that he’s used to.

“I’d like to play two big guys because I still think defending around the rim and rebounding the ball is a huge part of the game,” he said.

In Meeks’ absence, the Tar Heels have used non traditional lineups, putting small forward Justin Jackson at power forward, in what Williams calls his small lineup.

Williams said he thinks there is a time and place for both styles.

“It’s a balance,” he said. “I’d like to play both ways and do some good things both ways.”

The Tar Heels return to action Saturday against NC State.