ESPN: Marcus Paige Will Play vs Maryland; UNC Confirms

According to ESPN's Andy Katz, Roy Williams has confirmed senior PG Marcus Paige will return to action versus Maryland on Tuesday.

After missing the first six games of the season, PG Marcus Paige will play Tuesday when the Tar Heels meet No. 2 Maryland, coach Roy Williams told ESPN's Andy Katz. UNC is 5-1 without Paige (14.1 points per game last year).

Paige missed the first six games with a broken bone in his right(non-shooting) hand.

UPDATE: Quote from Roy Williams via ESPN

"He'll play,'' Williams said. "Unless something weird happens today in practice. He practiced Friday and Saturday.''

UPDATE #2: UNC confirms

University of North Carolina senior guard Marcus Paige is expected to play Tuesday against the University of Maryland in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Paige has missed the Tar Heels’ first six games this season due to a fracture in his right hand, an injury he suffered in practice on November 3rd.

The Tar Heels won five of their first six games with Paige out of the lineup, dropping a 71-67 decision at Northern Iowa on Nov. 21, but winning the CBE Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City before the holiday.

Paige’s return is subject to his going through UNC’s practice later today without aggravating the injury.

Marcus Paige was already on the schedule for today's weekly press conference so it could be assumed that he was going to play. Not much value trotting him out in front of the media if his status was in doubt.