It's Brandon Paul's world...or it will be
November 18, 2009 6:54 AM
Freshman guard Brandon Paul delivered another ridiculous opening half. He poured in 20 points in the first 17 minutes as he drilled 4 of 5 3-pointers. He skied for a putback. He slashed to the basket on the right side and somehow decided to switch the ball to his left hand for a short bank. If Dick Vitale had been in Assembly Hall, he might have gagged on his tongue praising Paul.
In fact, as Paul's 20-point spree led Illinois to a 46-27 lead with three minutes left in the first half, the fella sitting next to me on press row (my Rivals.com guy Brad Sturdy) typed into his running commentary thread that Paul will be the Big Ten's Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American.
Then came the final 23 minutes. Asked to run the point with Demetri McCamey on the bench, Paul committed 2 turnovers. In the second half, he missed all 5 of his shots as he kept settling for 3-point tries. Open 3-point tries, but you could see his confidence shrinking with each miss. He finished with 20 points as coach Bruce Weber muttered (and yelled) a few not-so-complimentary things in Paul's direction.
Willhite
In fact, as Paul's 20-point spree led Illinois to a 46-27 lead with three minutes left in the first half, the fella sitting next to me on press row (my Rivals.com guy Brad Sturdy) typed into his running commentary thread that Paul will be the Big Ten's Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American.
Then came the final 23 minutes. Asked to run the point with Demetri McCamey on the bench, Paul committed 2 turnovers. In the second half, he missed all 5 of his shots as he kept settling for 3-point tries. Open 3-point tries, but you could see his confidence shrinking with each miss. He finished with 20 points as coach Bruce Weber muttered (and yelled) a few not-so-complimentary things in Paul's direction.
Willhite
Filed under: Illini Basketball, Northern Illinois Huskies
