And The Sophomore Shall Lead Them

The North Carolina Tarheel Basketball team has always placed an emphasis on Senior leadership since the early days of Dean Smith and if the team was lacking in Seniors, then the upper classmen took over. This year, especially after the tough Belmont loss, Sophomore combo guard Marcus Paige has emerged as the clear cut leader of the 2013-14 Tarheel basketball team. Paige led the 'Heels with a then career high 26 points in an 82-72 win over the University of Richmond on Saturday with some help from fellow Sophomore Brice Johnson in the form of 24 points off the bench. The #24 'Heels took on #3 Louisville and their 21 game winning streak yesterday and rode Marcus Paige's career high 32 points on 6 for 9 three point shooting and 10 for 11 from the free throw line. Brice Johnson chipped in with 13 more points off the bench and 5 Blocked Shots and Freshman Kennedy Meeks had a career high 13 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. Meeks repeatedly burned Louisville with long outlet passes to wide open Tarheel players who had gotten behind Louisville's defense. It was a "statement" win for North Carolina and by far their best game of the season. It was tied at 44 at halftime and the 'Heels eventually stretched the lead to 16 before settling on the final score of 93-84. The 'Heels improved to 4-1 on the season and this was the first of many games the Tarheels have against Top Ten teams.