When Marcus Paige was just an eighth grader, he received his first college basketball scholarship offer—from the University of Northern Iowa, approximately an hour from his home in Marion.
Eight years later, he’ll return to Iowa as his Tar Heels face the Panthers tomorrow at 2 p.m. Eastern.
Paige’s status is uncertain as he recovers from a broken hand, but that hasn’t slowed the dozens of ticket requests. His parents, Ellis and Sherryl Paige, expect no fewer than 80 close friends and family members to be in attendance. Many of those who couldn’t get tickets from the Paige family horde purchased tickets through UNI, which put three-game ticket packages on sale that required those who wanted Carolina tickets to also buy tickets to the Loyola and Missouri State games.