Marcus Paige injury moves Tar Heel guard to end of bench

CHAPEL HILL  (AP) — Top-ranked North Carolina has lost senior guard Marcus Paige to a broken right hand for three to four weeks.

The school announced Paige’s injury Wednesday, saying the preseason Atlantic Coast Conference co-player of the year broke a bone in his non-shooting hand during Tuesday’s practice.

Paige has missed one game through his first three seasons, but the recovery time will sideline him for next Friday’s opener against Temple in Annapolis, Maryland, and several games beyond. A four-week absence would have him close to returning for the big Dec. 1 matchup with No. 3 Maryland in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

The 6-foot-2 guard has led UNC in scoring in each of the past two seasons.

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