N.C. State fans referencing No. 15 North Carolina’s academic scandal were everywhere, holding up everything from a “Roy Knew” sign, to a sheet of paper with the words “Official UNC Degree” on it to a Jan Boxill fathead. One man wore a dunce cap with the letters U, N and C all in light blue, and another held up a sign that read “Marcus Paige Likes Fish Sticks.”
The stage was perfectly set for a rivalry game featuring two teams that despise each other. And in a pure, old-fashioned, basketball showdown the hype didn’t disappoint. North Carolina 81, N.C. State 79.
“It’s kind of like an ‘us against the world’ mentality when we come in here, and that’s a fun way to play,” said North Carolina junior point guard Marcus Paige.
“You sign up to go to North Carolina to play in environments like this — where everybody’s against you except for your little corner and the bench and your teammates,” Paige said.
“It’s a lot of fun when people are screaming at you, all types of negative stuff, and you’re able to respond and play well.”
Play well, the Tar Heels did. Paige paved the way with 23 points, nine assists and four steals with zero turnovers. He shot a perfect 100 percent from beyond the arc, and his 5-for-5 performance from three is tied for the second best mark in UNC history.