UNC Basketball: Will Marcus Paige Live Up to 2014-15 Preseason Hype?

North Carolina's Marcus Paige is piling up one preseason distinction after another.

It is no surprise. The 6'1" Marion, Iowa, native is one of the best backcourt players in college basketball.

During the summer, both Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy and ESPN's Jeff Goodman (Insider subscription required) named Paige as the nation's top point guard.

This week, CBSSports.com's Gary Parrish placed him on his 2014-15 Preseason All-American First Team.

Last year, as a sophomore, Paige emerged as Carolina's points, assists, free-throw percentage, three-point percentage and minutes leader.

Even though the Tar Heels roster is talented and deep, UNC's ultimate fortune is tied to Paige's junior-year achievements.

Can he sustain his sophomore success? Will Paige carry the day under the media buildup?

Three qualities of his game suggest that he will more than live up to the hype.

Positional Flexibility

As a freshman, Paige played entirely at one position: point guard.

Last year, because of the Tar Heels' early-season roster uncertainties, he was forced out of playing only the point.

Paige slid over to the shooting guard position for most of UNC's first nine games, averaging 19.2 points per game before Leslie McDonald's return.

For the remaining 25 contests, he moved back and forth in Roy Williams' backcourt.

Even with numerous skilled perimeter players at his disposal for the upcoming season, Williams can still utilize Paige where he can do the most damage based on the Heels' opponents.

His ability to switch positions during games and throughout the season will increase Carolina's chances of improving on its 24-10 mark. 

Skills Versatility

Paige is far from a one-dimensional player.

Though he was recruited strictly as a point guard out of high school, Paige demonstrated his scoring skill, according to his UNC bio, when he averaged over 28 points per game as a senior.

While shouldering a sizable portion of the Heels' scoring load a year ago, Paige still dished out a team-leading 4.2 assists per game with a solid 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Even though he is not known nationally as a lockdown defender, Paige is more than able to be a stopper on the other end of the court.

Inside Carolina's Dijana Kunovac tweeted Williams' comments about Paige's defensive capabilities: 

Small forward J.P. Tokoto may take issue with who's deemed the top Tar Heel defender.

Regardless, whatever Carolina needs, Paige can deliver.

When the Tar Heels need him to score, he can fill it up. When they have mismatches at other positions, Paige can distribute the ball with the best of them.

If they need a steal, he is able to poach the passing lanes or pick someone's pocket.

Paige is set up for another super season because he can do so many different things well.

Late-Game Tenacity

Paige became widely known last year as one of the most clutch late-game collegiate scorers.

Not only did he hit his share of game-winners last year, Paige was flat-out money in the second half of numerous UNC games.

The News Observer's Luke DeCock pulled back the curtain on something that is true:

"

At least once in every North Carolina practice so far, Roy Williams has turned to his team and pointed at junior guard Marcus Paige.

“This is our best player,” Williams said he told the group. “Don’t anybody forget that.”

"

Paige does not flinch when the clock is running down and the game is on the line. He is ready to put his team on his back when necessary.

There is no question as to who will have the ball in his hands at the end.

Looking Ahead

Paige has set lofty team goals for this season.

Carolina Blue's Brooke Pryor conveyed his mindset when Paige said: "Personally, I've set a goal of at least making it to the Final Four. That's something I've wanted to do since I got here, haven't had the chance obviously."

With this as his focus, Paige is determined to get the Heels to Indianapolis for the Final Four in April. 

This will be accomplished as he elevates his performance again this year and lives up to the hype.