In Praise of Marcus Paige

I love Marcus Paige: as a student; an athlete; and above all as a Tar Heel. In many respects his senior season has been a disappointment.  Actually, let me correct myself - his shooting in his senior season has been a disappointment.  But as a Tar Heel?  Nope, he's excelled.

For the third year in a row Paige was named an academic All-American. After two years of being second team Paige was named a first-team academic All-American his senior season.  Being named an academic All-American is always a big deal (just ask Tyler Zeller) but obviously Paige's status as a three-time honoree is magnified in the wake of the academic scandal at the "University of the People."  He is an old school, Carolina Way, Dean-worthy Tar Heel: a smart, conscientious, articulate student who also happens to hold the Carolina record for most three-pointers made. 

He also happened to win the Duke game for the Heels, a game that smited the right-wing devils, avenged the heartbreaker in Chapel Hill - and a win that gave Carolina the regular season title* and the top seed in the ACC tournament. 

Now, most Tar Heel fans may think I'm referring to Paige's clinching free throws in the final 30 seconds. But just like in a baseball game, where the biggest outs are often made in the 7th or 8th inning yet the closer who pitches the 9th gets the save, Paige saved Carolina around the 11:30 mark of the second half.

To reset the scene, one I've watched three or four times since the game ended on Saturday night: Duke had tied the game at 49 behind the three-point shooting of Luke Kennard and Gray'son of Nixon/Reddick/Battier' Allen.  The crowd was going nuts, so much so that even ol' Roy called a time out.  

One can assume the Heels were still a little rattled since we immediately turned it over with who else, Allen, stealing a terrible pass from Pinson.** It looked like a sure fast break basket for the devils and a 51-49 first-of-the-game lead for Duke.

But that's when a Tar Heel stepped up. Not giving up on the play Paige hustled back and poked the ball away from Allen. Pinson picked it up, got it ahead to Jackson who missed the layup but a hustling Theo tipped it in for a 51-49 CAROLINA lead.

On the next possession Duke went to Allen but Paige fought over the high screen, disrupted the shot and son of Nixon missed. In fact, son of Reddick missed so bad he flopped and tried to sell a foul on Paige. Of course, that (along with tripping others) is wicked-bad karma AND means that you are on the floor whining instead of getting back on D. That allowed Marcus to streak down court unmolested to receive a great outlet pass from Jackson for a lay up.  

His steal and his defense caused a 6-point swing. Instead of the devils taking a momentum-shifting two-point lead, thanks to Paige the Heels were up by four. Duke never tied or led the rest of the way.  

Fittingly, the player who saved the Duke game for us and restored our faith in the Carolina Way hit the free throws that iced a very satisfying win. In a season where many UNC fans and alums longed for a poised Tar Heel like George Lynch or David Noel to appear, one did in Cameron. One who has also made us proud in the class room.  

One more reason to love Marcus Paige. Tar Heel.

* Of course, any ACC old head knows that there technically isn't a regular season title.  The champion is crowned at the ACC tournament.
** Paige and especially Brice Johnson and Joel Berry had great games versus Duke, but our unsung hero was Pinson. He made numerous plays and filled out the stat sheet with 6 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 2 huge free throws with 30 seconds left. 

Dean Hangover

Watching Carolina's game versus Pitt yesterday my fandom matched the level of play from the Heels. Given the news of the week, losing a basketball game on the road did not seem that big of a deal. I shrugged off the loss, unaffected, much the same way the players seemed to.

That said, there were some interesting basketball-game related insights.

1. Despite sleepwalking through much of the game the Heels DID tie it up late in the first half. But at the under-four time out the wheels fell off - and stayed off.
2. That run to tie the game was led by Kennedy Meeks, who came off the bench for the second game in a row. I imagine, or more to the point hope, that Meeks will be back in the starting line up versus Duke. As much as Isaiah Hicks has improved the Heels are strongest when Brice Johnson and Meeks are feeding off each other.
3. The other player who helped lead that run was Joel Berry. It was great to see the Florida freshman step up and play with confidence; he was so confident Roy had him start the second half at the point.
4. As good as it was to see Berry contribute it was also an admission that Nate Britt, after a great couple of games highlighted by his performance against Syracuse, and J.P. Tokoto have regressed in the last 4 games. We need both to get back to their A game if this team is to compete for an ACC championship and make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. 
5. This week's game at Duke may be just what this team needs. This is a good team, one that should regain it's focus and mojo in Cameron Indoor Stadium.  Never underestimate how some adversity can help get a team back on track. 

Finally, a huge 'point to the passer' to the University of Pittsburgh student section. 

Not only did the students unveil this banner but they also presented Roy with a signed card offering their condolences for Coach Smith's death. Those gracious actions from the self proclaimed Oakland Zoo prompted Roy to say "College athletics is not all bad. There are some darn good things that happen."

Kudos to the Oakland Zoo for the ultimate Dean move. Point to the passer!