The North Carolina Tar Heels started the year off ranked number one in America.
Now, the Heels are ranked no. 9, but forget the ranking for a moment because that doesn’t matter right now. What matters is the status of All-American point guard Marcus Paige.
Paige has been out with a broken bone in his non-shooting hand, however, he’s on pace to potentially return next week against no.2 Maryland.
“The basketball part – the passing, catching, dribbling, all that stuff feels good now,” said Paige, who dressed out for the second consecutive game. “Now it’s just a matter if (the hand) hits somebody or if I fall, is it in a good-enough place healing-wise to not be affected by that? …
Back from postgame interviews. Marcus Paige confident he'll be back for Maryland. Not 100 percent certain but close.
— Andrew Carter (@_andrewcarter) November 24, 2015
The Terrapins will be invading Chapel Hill December 1, and while this will be a huge early season statement game, it’s not worth putting Paige’s health at risk.
Beating Maryland would look great on the resume, but since the Heels play in the ACC, their will be multiple opportunities for quality victories.
“If it was up to me, I’d be playing tomorrow,” said Paige, who for the past week has not been wearing a bandage on his hand. “But it’s not up to me, it’s up to those people above me – coach Williams and the doctors and stuff, so I’m just trying to be patient with it.
Let’s just say it’s a good thing it isn’t up to Paige.
