University of North Carolina Athletics
Guards Make Tar Heels Go
December 10, 2015 | Men's Basketball
NOTE: This article originally appeared in the December 8 issue of CAROLINA, the official magazine of UNC Athletics and the Rams Club.
by Alex Zietlow
CHAPEL HILL—“I think everyone's comfortable playing with each other,” Marcus Paige said following Carolina's 98-65 victory over the Davidson Wildcats. “We're kind of in a groove.”
It certainly appears that way. The Tar Heels are 7-1, and defeated #2 Maryland and previously-unbeaten Davidson with their senior captain back in the mix last week. With Paige, the Tar Heels have had their way on the offensive end of the court, scoring more than their current points per game average of 84.4 points in both contests, reflecting their fast, unselfish play. Paige's return most definitely has something to do with the boost in productivity.
“Marcus is our best player – one of the best in the country – so the focus is going to be on him,” sophomore guard Joel Berry II said. “And that opens up opportunities for other guys on the court.”
Beyond attracting additional attention from opposing defenses, Paige poses problems as a shooting threat against defenses wanting to double Carolina's post players. Fast breaks are abundant with the additional ball-handler/playmaker available for outlet passes. Both Maryland and Davidson briefly experimented with a half-court zone defense, attempting to capitalize on Carolina's recent weaknesses by slowing the game down and encouraging lower-percentage shots. However, both teams were proven ineffective and were exploited.
“These past couple seasons, we haven't shot the ball as well from the outside, but we've shot it a lot better this year so far,” Paige said. “It's also hard to play a zone when we're getting transition baskets.”
Against Maryland, the Heels made 69.2 percent from three-point attempts, with Paige hitting four of five from beyond the arc. And against Davidson, Carolina shot 50.7 percent from the floor and scored a season-high 26 fast-break points, 12 more than their previous high against Fairfield earlier this year.
Paige's presence does more than provide an additional scoring option for his team, however; he impacts the game beyond the numbers on the stat line. The veteran leader acts as the final and most vital piece of the puzzle amongst the three Tar Heel point guards offensively, and makes just as significant of an impact on the defensive end of the court.
“Nate (Britt), Joel, Marcus . . . being able to rotate them means we always have someone fresh who's able to pressure the ball,” Roy Williams said.
The three point guards finished in double figures in the potential trap game Sunday against the Wildcats. Britt was the high scorer on the team with 17 points, scoring 12 in the first half.
“It's always my objective, when you put a guy in the game, for him to help the team and give us something positive,” Williams said. “The two guys that worked hardest on their shot in the off-season would be Joel Berry and Nate Britt. And it shows up during the season.”
While Berry, Britt and Paige each have a different playing style, they feed off of each other's play. Their chemistry and cohesion on the court stems from training in the off-season together.
“As point guards, we're always looking out for one another,” Joel Berry said. “And it's so easy when you have two point guards out on the court together at the same time. It just makes the whole game easier.
“Over the summer, we were able to get in the gym and practice with one another and play with one another, and that bond of being around each other and knowing each other's game helps a lot.”
Having three point guards with crucial respective roles is unconventional, though. To say Paige's return to the court Tuesday required minimal adjustment would be misleading. Playing time was re-allocated, individual roles shifted, and even positioning was altered in order to facilitate Carolina's depth on the perimeter.
For example, upon Paige's welcome back, Britt did not get as much playing time as usual against the Terrapins, playing just 10 minutes compared to his season average of 20.9. Paige had the chance to talk to his teammate about the game.
“I said, 'No matter how the rotation goes, you're still a key part of this team. We need you to provide depth and provide steadiness in the backcourt,'” Paige said. “And that's what he's been and will continue to be all year.” (Britt responded on Sunday by tying his career high with those 17 points off the bench.)
Even Paige has made room for the talent at point guard, starting off the ball so Joel Berry can start alongside him. “[Nate and Joel] got a lot of confidence while I was out,” Paige said. “I'm playing a bit more off the ball than I have in the past because these guys are playing so well and are so comfortable.”
Carolina's versatility offensively and aggressiveness defensively can be attributed to the three point guards that make this team run. And with the missing piece in the backcourt fulfilled, the Heels' groove can continue.
