MINNEAPOLIS ?It?s starting to happen.
Slowly and steadily ? literally and figuratively ? Trevon Hughes is maturing as the point guard and floor general of the Wisconsin basketball team.
By harnessing his natural quickness and playing with more control, Hughes is evolving as a player.
The returns, at least Sunday against the pressure defense of Minnesota, were impressive.
Hughes led all players in scoring with 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting, pulled down three rebounds and nabbed a career-high six steals.
His play Sunday built on another solid game the last time out when he matched Indiana?s celebrated freshman Eric Gordon in points, assists and steals.
That Hughes struggled at times earlier this season was not of much concern to Ryan and the coaching staff. Taking his lumps early would yield dividends later in the year, they argued.
?He?s much better now than he was at the early in the year, but that?s what we figured,? UW head coach Bo Ryan said. ?We figured early in the year that he was going to be tested in some areas by some teams and then tested in the conference.
?Trevon?s improved.?
That improvement was evident on both ends of the court. Whether it was by using his quickness to slice through the Gophers? defense to get to the hoop or penetrate and find an open shooter on the perimeter, Hughes was the catalyst for UW offensively.
Defensively, the sophomore made things difficult for Minnesota, disrupting passing lanes with quick hands.
?(With) his steals he?s been in a little better position. ? He?s not taking himself out of position as much, not reaching as much, so he?s not sitting on the bench for as many minutes,? Ryan said. ?Offensively, better decisions, better control. Still, there?s some turnovers there that we need to discuss on the path to getting better.?
As much as his play may be improving, Hughes says he hasn?t been doing much differently.
?I always play the same way,? Hughes said. ?I wouldn?t say it?s more confident, I?d just say I?m relying on my team more.?
When Hughes is making smart decisions and running the offense like he was for the most part Sunday, the Wisconsin offense is able to operate efficiently. In the first half against Minnesota, Wisconsin?s offensive efficiency was just below 1.40 points per possession. For the game, UW was above its target mark of 1.0.
?It helps everything,? forward Brian Butch said. ?This offense is a point-guard offense. You can see the success point guards have had in this offense. At this level, that?s what it is. If you have a good point guard, you?re going to be a good team.?
While the flashy plays ? the behind-the-back pass to a cutting Michael Flowers against Indiana, as an example ? may land him on the highlight shows, Hughes? teammates know the less noticed aspects of his play are just as important as any others.
?We need him to do all those little things that he does for us, not just scoring but? getting the steals, creating for other people,? forward Jon Leuer said. ?He?s just really turning into a great point guard.?
Faces in the crowd
Wisconsin signees and Minnesota natives Jared Berggren and Jordan Taylor were in attendance for Sunday?s game. The two are half of Ryan?s ?08 recruiting class that will enter school next year.
Carl Landry, brother of UW?s Marcus Landry and former Purdue forward, was at the game as well. Landry, a member of the NBA?s Houston Rockets, was in Minneapolis for the Rockets? game Monday against the Timberwolves.
