Marcus Paige still hurting over UNC’s late NCAA loss
Marcus Paige doesn’t plan to attempt another shot like the 3-pointer he made to tie the game against Villanova in the NCAA tournament championship game.
At least, not any time soon.
Paige said the memory still hurts too much, knowing that it wasn’t enough to give North Carolina a national title. Villanova forward Kris Jenkins followed Paige’s shot with a game-winning 3 with no time left as the Wildcats took the title, 77-74.
“The one thing I did notice later (after watching his shot) was the cool angle. I can see my family in the background watching,” Paige said. “I’ve never hit a shot like that and don’t want to in the near future because it’ll make me think about the game, and it still hurts.”
Paige, along with several teammates and other ACC and Division I players, had just finished a charity game Tuesday night at Northern High School as part of their ACC Barnstorming Tour.
The event, now in its 38th season, travels the state to allow fans, who can’t always snag a ticket to the game, a chance to see their favorites up close. In addition to the game there is a 3-point shooting contest and a slam-dunk competition. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House and each host high school.
I’ve never hit a shot like that and don’t want to in the near future because it’ll make me think about the game, and it still hurts.
Marcus Paige
Paige will see many familiar faces on Saturday when the team takes a break from North Carolina and travels to his hometown of Marion, Iowa.
“It’s going to be a special time, and I’m really looking forward to seeing my family and friends,” said Paige who scored 22 points.
The “ACCers,” coached by UNC legendary guard Phil Ford, had little trouble against the Northern All-Stars, winning 109-85. But the game was secondary; it was a fan experience.
Instead of the players’ shooting free throws after a foul, they let a kid from the stands take their place.
The game’s most valuable player award went to a 5-foot-7 girl.
Northern senior guard Rhianna Council was voted MVP after scoring a team-high 19 points.
“I was just so excited to be able to go out and do what I do best,” said Council, who didn’t know she would play in the game until 20 minutes before tipoff. “I just wanted to be myself.”
UNC forward Brice Johnson, the game’s higher scorer with 30 points – mostly on thunderous dunks – brought out the boo birds when he blocked one of Council’s shot attempts. Johnson was good-naturedly unapologetic.
“I just had to it. She told me to do it, so I had to do it,” said Johnson, referring to his girlfriend sitting next to him.
Johnson said he’s “gotten over” the Villanova loss, but still won’t look at any game highlights.
“Oh, definitely, I change the channel when it comes on,” he said. “There’s nothing we can do to change the outcome, but I don’t want to bring back those feelings. …
“I’m proud of the season and what we accomplished – both as a team and individually. It’s something we can always look back on.”
This story was originally published April 15, 2016 at 4:30 PM with the headline "Marcus Paige still hurting over UNC’s late NCAA loss."