Brandon Paul sizzles as Illinois wins opener
November 13, 2009 11:32 PM
Paul raised the curtains with a game-high 22 points in No. 23 Illinois' 96-69 blowout of SIU-Edwardsville on Friday. He broke the UI scoring record for a freshman in a season opener, set by Deon Thomas in 1990 (21 points).
"I really wasn't thinking about that during the game," Paul said of the record.
"He's just cool and calm," said coach Bruce Weber, who moved to 7-0 in season openers at Illinois (1-0). "He doesn't get too excited."
You can't say the same for a giddy crowd, announced at 16,012. Paul subbed out to loud applause after sinking 8 of 15 shots, including 4 of 6 three-pointers and an acrobatic tip-in that broke the rookie record.
Klee
"I really wasn't thinking about that during the game," Paul said of the record.
"He's just cool and calm," said coach Bruce Weber, who moved to 7-0 in season openers at Illinois (1-0). "He doesn't get too excited."
You can't say the same for a giddy crowd, announced at 16,012. Paul subbed out to loud applause after sinking 8 of 15 shots, including 4 of 6 three-pointers and an acrobatic tip-in that broke the rookie record.
Klee
Filed under: Illini Basketball, SIU Edwardsville
