SPORTS
Point guard Hughes puts Marquette game behind
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Ben Voelkel:
- Rocky trip Outback for UW (January 1, 2008)
Related Stories:
- Super-Marquette Sweep (December 11, 2006)
- Madison's King of Queens (December 12, 2006)
- No kidding: James, Marquette get last laugh (December 10, 2007)
- Badgers to test Golden rule (December 7, 2007)
- Poor ball control haunts Badgers (December 10, 2007)
by Ben Voelkel
Thursday, December 13, 2007
MILWAUKEE — Coming off arguably his worst game of the season
— an outing that could only be described as shaky at best — Trevon Hughes knew
what he needed to do: get back to basics.
"We have to control the tempo of this game; we wanted to
come out of it with a win and we wanted to try and get the ball in the post
like we did today," Hughes said.
That simple approach paid off for Hughes Wednesday night, as
he spearheaded Wisconsin's 61-39 win over UW-Milwaukee with a sharp performance.
"I think it's more how he responded to being a competitive
guy, to wanting to be better and help his team win. … He understands good
versus bad, and I think tonight he had a chance to show that," UW head coach Bo
Ryan said. "I like the way he bounced back."
For as shaky and rushed as Hughes looked at times against
Marquette, he looked equally in control Wednesday.
"That's from the past game," Hughes said. "Watching game
tape I learned what's a good shot from what's a bad shot. As I look at it,
every time I went in for a layup I had teammates open. … The movement without
the ball is great for this team, and I'm learning that myself."
That control was especially on display in the first half,
when Hughes played perhaps his best 20 minutes of the season, scoring 10
points, handing out three assists and nabbing two steals.
Hughes came out showing no ill effects from his dismal
shooting against Marquette — when he made just 4 of 15 attempts (26.7 percent)
— and made each of the first four shots he took.
After knocking down a 16-footer from the top of the key for
his first basket, Hughes went to work. He used his speed and quickness to find
holes in the Panthers' defense and drive the ball to the hoop. Hughes' next
three baskets all came on short bankers in the lane.
The sophomore guard would go until 14:20 remaining in the
second half before he missed a shot, a deep 3-pointer off a Greg Stiemsma
screen.
"That wasn't in my mind," Hughes said of his poor shooting
against Marquette. "I had to (get in the lane), that's my job. My job is to get
my team involved. … That's why you call it a scouting report. I know that if I
can get in the paint, my teammates will get open and get open shots."
And opposed to how he seemed to force contested shots in
traffic in both of Wisconsin's losses, when Hughes drove and found things not
to his liking Wednesday, he was able to stay composed. The point guard finished
several drives with pretty dishes to open teammates, and wound up with three
assists for the game.
That ability to penetrate caused all kinds of problems for
the Panthers.
"It's either our opponents go at us or they sink in and
help," said Marcus Landry, who finished with a game-high 16 points. "If they
sink in and help, then we're wide open on our cuts. Coach says people don't
like to guard those cuts, so that gives Trevon the opportunity to drive. And if
they're trying to guard our cuts, [the lane is] wide open … to get to the
paint and finish baskets."
Always his own harshest critic when it comes to ball
security, Hughes was quick to point out he still needs to improve on what he
considers to be a glaring statistic: his turnovers.
Hughes turned the ball over three times on the night, and as
a team the Badgers had another 18-turnover game.
"I'm not satisfied," Hughes said. "I had three turnovers, and as a point guard you're supposed to control the team."
Anonymous (December 13, 2007 @ 8:14am):
Sure, he can put up big numbers against lousy teams, but Hughes disappears against teams that don't suck.
Add a comment
We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted.
Login...
Not registered? Sign up now.
It's quick, free, and the email address you provide will not be sold or solicited.
