Over his first three years at UNC, Marcus Paige earned the nickname “Second Half Marcus” because of his propensity to score points when the Tar Heels needed it most.
But there were times this season, no matter the half, he just couldn’t get it going.
“Throughout the middle of the year I kind of let my shot halt the rest of my game,” he said. “I was too worried. Too much thinking about whether I was making field goals or what my percentage was and all that stuff.”
In a five game stretch this season, Paige shot 4-30 from three. And despite the fact that he’s had eight games this season shooting under 30% from the field, including three under 20%, his head coach Roy Williams said he still believes the ball is going in every time Paige pulls up for a shot.
Marcus Paige scored 21 points against Indiana. (Photo by Todd Melet)
“I think he handled it possible better than any player I’ve ever seen,” Williams said. “He’s a very analytical mind about how he’s playing and what his value is. He sees his value is everywhere, but we need the ball to go in the basket, it’s called a scoreboard.”
Paige has been in double figures every NCAA Tournament game, including having one his best games all year against Indiana, the highest seed the Tar Heels have faced so far.
He hit six three pointers, tying Shammond Williams for the most a Tar Heel has hit in an NCAA Tournament game and finished with a team-high 21 points.
Teammate Joel Berry said the rest of the Tar Heels weren’t surprised to see the Paige fans expected before the season.
“We know the Marcus that can hit shots,” Berry said. “Sooner or later you knew it was going to click and he did a great job of staying in the gym and getting up extra shots after practice.”
For a player that has been known for quiet first halves and second-half explosions, it seems only natural that he would return to form now, exactly when his team needs him most.
“We knew it was going to come,” Berry said. “It was just a matter of time.”
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