Illini crack the Bucknuts

By Jeff Mayfield

[January 11, 2012]  I've got to tell you, I didn't see it happening. In fact, I'm ashamed to tell you that I had trouble even painting a scenario in which the Illini would topple the No. 5-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, and I was a lot better in art classes than you probably think. If I was assigned to ref the game with two of my friends, then I gave us an outside chance of being competitive. But then, I didn't know one of our players was going to blow up either!

Apparently, Illini coach Bruce Weber texted Brandon Paul Tuesday afternoon during Paul's customary nap (I used to nap before practices and games too, but most coaches and teammates oftentimes wished that I continued napping) and just basically challenged him to "be special." If that's all it takes, Weber needs to send that same text on every game day! Or on the other hand, maybe Paul didn't wake up yet. When he does, will somebody please tell him that we cracked the Bucknuts 79-74!

The Brandon Paul show was one for the ages. I vaguely remember Andy Kaufmann's 46-point effort back in 1990, and Dave Downey's 53-point night in 1963 was a little before my time (although I have met some of his kin through the years, and I hear that Downey was a great player). All Paul did Tuesday night was go 8 of 10 from distance (which tied Illinois' all-time record for 3s in a game); 13 of 15 from the charity stripe, good for a whopping 43 points; and then he added eight rebounds and four vicious blocks to boot! To say that he had a career night might be the understatement of the year.

In case you doubt me, let me remind you that Paul scored the Illini's last 15 points. One of those trifectas came during an ineffective possession resulting in Weber calling a timeout with four precious ticks left on the 35-second timer. Paul raced along the baseline and appeared to this impartial observer to get fouled by Ohio State's highly regarded point guard, Aaron Craft, but there was no whistle. As the clock wound down, the two players looked intertwined, and through all those appendages Paul hoisted up a shot that found nothing but the bottom of the net. It was a thing of beauty ... to everyplace in the world ... other than Columbus, Ohio. Somehow the Illini painted their own scenario for winning and cracking the Bucknuts.

I could tell you that Meyers Leonard also was huge in his duel match with all-everything OSU center Jared Sullinger. Leonard tallied 14 points and five rebounds and actually contained Sullinger in many ways (though big No. 0 still scored 21 points and grabbed five rebounds of his own). I just thought that Meyers matched his toughness, and that is something Illinois had been missing. The tougher they all get will go a long way toward a possible successful season.

I could tell you that Joseph Bertrand continued to make valuable contributions as he tallied 10 points and seven rebounds. And I could even tell you about the amazing toughness, willpower and determination of D.J. Richardson just to be man enough to even play in so much pain, much less provide 10 huge points and four assists.

And I probably would be remiss if I didn't tell you what a great game plan Weber devised for this contest. I know it's not popular to praise the coach currently, but I liked Illinois' defensive tenacity and their offensive attack mode as well. Did you see the picks and screens that our guys were willing to make to spring shooters open?

And I'd say, give an assist to Lou and Mary Henson as well. They unfurled a banner to hang in the rafters to commemorate coach Henson's many contributions to the Illinois program over the years. For those wondering, I think Illinois had gone to only one NCAA tournament in the 23 years before Henson arrived. He made it virtually an annual trip. For that if nothing else, he deserves a banner. And for his 1989 Flying Illini, one of the greatest college basketball teams ever, he deserved a banner for that, too.

But in all reality, this night belonged to Brandon Paul, who almost cracked the Bucknuts by himself. He was indeed ... "special."

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

Respond to the writer at [e-mail].

Archived columns