When it was announced a week ago that North Carolina’s Marcus Paige had broken a bone in his right hand, it was expected that the Tar Heels’ star would miss three-to-four weeks.

The potential National Player of the Year might be back on the court sooner than that, though.

Paige said today that the three-to-four week timeline is intended for him to be at 100 percent, not just able to play. So, he could return earlier.

Marcus Paige says the 3-4 week window for his return is intended for him to be at 100 percent, not just able to play. — InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) November 11, 2015

UNC's Marcus Paige on coping with broken hand: "I've been able to stay in shape. You don't need your hand to run sprints. — Bob Sutton (@tnBobSutton) November 11, 2015

A potential return date to circle is Nov. 21, when UNC plays at Northern Iowa. Paige, a former top recruit, is an Iowa native and the game is a sort-of homecoming for the star guard.

My spies at the UNC presser today tell me Marcus Paige isn't ruling out playing at Northern Iowa on Nov. 21. That's his homecoming game. — Andrew Carter (@_andrewcarter) November 11, 2015

North Carolina opens its season Friday against Temple at 7 p.m. E.T. The game will be televised on CBSSN.