(CHAMPAIGN, Ill.) — Illinois had always proven a tough opponent for Wisconsin, especially at Assembly Hall. The often overly boisterous environment and roster stacked with highly touted players had made the Illini a perpetually tough opponent. Due to these facts, coupled with the Badgers’ road woes in recent years, it came as no surprise Wisconsin would falter once again in Champaign.

What came as a surprise to many watching the game was the scoring touch of Illini guard Deron Williams.

The sophomore from Texas poured in a career-high 31 points with 5-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc as the Illini cut short a second-half rally to pull away from the Badgers for a 65-57 win from Assembly Hall.

“[Williams] shot it a lot better than he did in our place,” a surprisingly candid Bo Ryan said after the game. “What was the difference in the game? It was him. He’s the difference in the game.”

Williams found his mark midway through the first half, and it seemed once he found his touch, he would not lose hold of it.

“I hit the first couple, and I was feeling good,” Williams said of his efforts. “I left it fly.”

The tattooed Williams was constantly moving for the Illini, who made a very conscious effort to get him the ball after he ran off 12 points in the first half. The bulky 6-foot-3, 210-pound guard proved too relentless for the Badgers, who often had trouble keeping up with the sophomore and getting even a hand in his face. Freddie Owens and Boo Wade found themselves stuck behind screens in constant chase of Williams and more than once lost their footing.

“It’s always tough to guard guys who constantly move and are working off their teammates,” Owens said. “That’s what [Williams] did tonight, he got a few open looks, and it snowballed from there. They realized one of their teammates was hot and that he was shooting well, and they got him open, and that’s what good teammates do.”

Williams became the first Illini to score more than 30 points since Brian Cook recorded 31 points against Michigan last season.

Cook’s departure to the NBA had left Illinois head coach Bruce Weber in search of a player to fill those shoes and take charge of a team void of seniors. Williams has stepped into that role, both as a scorer and an emotional leader.

“He’s our energy, he’s our heart and soul,” Weber said. “He has great savvy and a great understanding of the game. He loves to play, and he comes to practice every day and sucks everything in.”

What was most surprising about Williams’ presence on the floor is his willingness and comfort in taking that leadership role and letting his shot fly.

“Twenty points is a lot of points to make up,” Williams said of the absence of Cook. “I felt I had to step up as a leader and points had to be filled, and I decided to make it happen.”

The superstitious Williams even mandated his team keep wearing their Orange Crush uniforms to keep his team hot and on a win streak now stretched to five games.

The Illinois players understood a win against Wisconsin would throw them right back in the midst of the Big Ten title hunt. Williams delivered Wednesday night, and the Illini are now tied for second place with the Badgers.

“[Williams] knocked down a lot of big shots for his team, and he pretty much kept them in the game,” Owens said. “Big players step up in big times, and that’s what he did tonight.”