UNC Basketball: Each Tar Heels Starter's Most Impressive Stat

The numbers for North Carolina this season have been pretty extraordinary on both ends of the spectrum.

Being elite in offensive rebounding is balanced out by an inability to rebound defensively; packing the paint so well for buckets is needed since UNC has been anemic from the outside; great field-goal defense is let down by silly fouls.

Thus far, though, the good has outweighed the bad en route to a 13-4 overall record. The same goes for the individual starters on this team.

Each player has done some things well and others poorly, but there are some incredible stats that stand out for each guy on the positive side of that balancing act.

Marcus Paige

USA TODAY Sports

2.3 made threes per game

The total isn't mind-blowing until you realize the rest of the Tar Heels combine to make 2.4 total threes per game.

This has been the case for Marcus Paige for two years now. The rest of his supporting cast just hasn't been able to produce from behind the arc.

With Paige's incredible performance from three Wednesday night against NC State—5-of-5 from distance—that chasm will only grow.

It was really a fortunate time for Paige to have his best game of the season. UNC needed nearly every point to hold on for a win.

J.P. Tokoto

USA TODAY Sports

67.2 percent from the free-throw line

Again, this number means nothing without context: J.P. Tokoto was a truly awful foul shooter each of his first two seasons at North Carolina.

As a freshman, he made just 10 of his 26 attempts. In his sophomore season, he ballooned up to 50 percent from the line, making 49 of 98. This year, though, as his game has matured, so too have his concentration and effectiveness at the line.

Tokoto has made just about as many free throws already this season as he did all of last season. It's something North Carolina needs to continue if it hopes to rely on J.P. late in games.

Justin Jackson

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

57.0 two-point field-goal percentage

Freshman small forward Justin Jackson is already money in the bank near the hoop. With a 57 percent success rate on two-point field goals, Jackson scores with the effectiveness of a veteran power forward down low.

His combination of floaters and semi-hooks leaves defenders jumping late and failing to get a hand in his face. Of any Tar Heel playing significant minutes, only Kennedy Meeks shoots better inside the arc.

It is a good thing Jackson has his mid-range and close game down, though, because the young man has been unable to find his stroke from three.

Against NC State, Jackson attempted one three. He was completely wide open yet air-balled the attempt. Roy Williams immediately pulled Jackson out of the game following the miss.

Perhaps Coach thinks Jackson should stick to twos.

Brice Johnson

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25.3 usage percentage

Essentially, when Brice Johnson is on the floor, he shoots. His usage rate is the highest on the team of anyone playing at least two minutes per game.

This makes sense. Johnson is not a great passer, nor does he look to pass out of the post. If he catches the ball near the hoop, he wants to go up with it or shoot his turnaround jumper.

As the announcers during the NC State telecast pointed out, Williams has said he wants Johnson to play more aggressively on offense. Besides playing smarter, I don't know what else Johnson can do to score more, though.

His biggest weakness right now is sloppy play leading to foul trouble, which leaves Johnson sitting the bench. At least he is making the most of the 21.9 minutes per game he is receiving.

Kennedy Meeks

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32.7 player efficiency rating

According to Sports-Reference's PER stat, Kennedy Meeks is the second-best player in the ACC, behind only Duke's Jahlil Okafor.

This stat makes sense because of how efficient and effective Meeks is with the minutes he is given.

Meeks and Anthony Gill are the only ACC players ranked in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive rating. Meeks also ranks inside the top five in total rebound percentage and block percentage.

His skills were on display once again against NC State. He finished with another double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

On a per-minute basis, it is hard to argue anyone is better than Meeks right now. As his stamina and athleticism grow and his minutes tick up, his overall contribution to the team will as well.

All stats courtesy of Sports Reference and current as of its last update at time of posting.