Fansided

NCAAM: Finding the next Doug McDermott

By Bryce Olin

Mar 8, 2014; Omaha, NE, USA; creighton Bluejays forward Doug McDermott (3) shoots the ball over Providence Friars forward Carson Desrosiers (33) during their NCAA basketball game at the CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Dave Weaver-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2014; Omaha, NE, USA; creighton Bluejays forward Doug McDermott (3) shoots the ball over Providence Friars forward Carson Desrosiers (33) during their NCAA basketball game at the CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Dave Weaver-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) drives against Providence Friars forward Carson Desrosiers (33) in the first half of a men
Mar 21, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) drives against Providence Friars forward Carson Desrosiers (33) in the first half of a men /

Marcus Paige, North Carolina

Season School Conf G MP FG% 2P% 3P% FT% TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
2012-13 North Carolina ACC 35 29.2 .356 .368 .344 .836 2.7 4.6 1.4 0.1 2.5 1.7 8.2
2013-14 North Carolina ACC 34 35.6 .440 .493 .389 .877 3.2 4.2 1.5 0.2 2.1 2.0 17.5
Career North Carolina 69 32.3 .408 .444 .372 .865 2.9 4.4 1.4 0.2 2.3 1.9 12.8

Provided by Sports-Reference.com/CBB: View Original Table
Generated 7/28/2014.

As a top 25 recruit in the class of 2012, Paige had quite the learning curve in his first two seasons at North Carolina. He’s had his share of struggles and underwhelming performances on a mediocre team, for North Carolina standards. Last season, though, Paige broke out. He emerged as the leader and go-to guy on team that won 12 straight games over a stretch.

Although Paige doesn’t have the size or play the same position as McDermott, he is definitely one of the favorites to win AP Player of the Year next season. Paige will have some help at North Carolina next year, but he’s the best player, the offensive creator, and a great shooter.

Paige definitely doesn’t have the appeal that McDermott had. He’s a top recruit and turned down his home schools to attend the basketball powerhouse. Still, Paige didn’t jump on the scene as a freshman. He went through a lot of the same growing pains McDermott went through at Creighton with the pace of the game and more athletic players.

Paige also has that zone where he just can’t miss, like McDermott. Few other guys ever get into the zone, but for Paige and McDermott, it seems to happen every few games or so. You know what I’m talking about. It’s the zone where if you’re rooting for him, there’s nothing better in the world because you know he can’t miss. And, if you’re rooting against him, you know any time he has the ball you’re doomed. Not many guys in college have that quality, that ice water in their veins.

It’s hard to picture Paige not leaving for the NBA if he has another solid season like he did last season, but I think it’s possible he stays for two more years. It’d probably be good for him, too, based on how tough the point guard position is right now in the NBA. If Paige stays, he’ll definitely have the chance to sweep up all the postseason awards just like McDermott.