If you ask UNC men’s basketball coach Roy Williams about his team’s identity – he’ll tell you it doesn’t have one.

“The identity of this team is that we have no identity,” he said. “It just changes game to game who we’re going to depend on and who’s going to get it done.”

Through 18 games this season, the Tar Heels have had seven different players lead the team in scoring.

Brice Johnson is the team’s leading scorer overall, averaging 16.1 points per game, but five other players are also averaging double figures.

“If I had to pick one thing I think it is our depth,” Williams said. “So far, and let me knock on wood, we’ve been able to withstand foul trouble or injuries.”

Most recently, it was junior center Kennedy Meeks who led the team with 23 points to beat in-state rival NC State.

The Tar Heels won despite the lack of production from their three leading scorers.

Marcus Paige, Justin Jackson and Brice Johnson combined for 15 points, something Williams said frustrated Paige.

“During the game on Saturday he came to the bench one time and said ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with me,'” Williams said.

Paige finished with three points on 1-9 shooting, but Williams said he was happy that other players stepped up.

“The other guys had to pull them up this time and that’s always good for us,” he said.

Paige will look to get back in form against the reeling Wake Forrest Demon Deacons Wednesday night in Chapel Hill.

Wake has lost four of their last five games, while the Tar Heels look to push their win streak to double digits.

 

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