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Butler scores 32 points, Ohio State takes control in second half to top Illini
By Neil Milbert
Chicago Tribune
Published on Friday, Jan 04, 2008
CHAMPAIGN, Ill.: There was a Michael Jordan impersonator in Assembly Hall on Thursday night. Unfortunately for all those Illinois fans bedecked in orange and blue, he was wearing the scarlet and gray of Ohio State.
The impersonator was senior point guard Jamar Butler and he looked like the real deal when he led the 2007 conference champions and NCAA Tournament runner-up to a 74-58 victory in the Big Ten opener for both teams.
He had a career-high 32-point performance, making 10-of-17 shots from the field — including 4-of-7 3-point attempts — and all eight of his free throws. He also hauled down six rebounds and collected a game-high six assists.
''Butler just put on a show,'' Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. ''It was one dagger after another.''
Butler was at his best during a six-possession segment early in the second half in which he scored all of the points during the Buckeyes' 15-2 run that transformed a give-and-take game into a compelling conquest.
''Jamar did a tremendous job of making plays down the stretch,'' Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. ''He was making great reads. He read what was given and he took it. I don't think he forced
anything.''
Butler took the best game of his college career in stride.
''I made plays off the ball screen,'' he said matter-of-factly.
Ohio State improved to 10-3, while the Illini sagged to 8-6.
''The doubting is going to start,'' predicted fifth-year senior forward Brian Randle, who led the Illini with 14 points. ''There are a lot of people who will question us as a team, as individuals, as coaches. In my freshman year we didn't start out that well in the Big Ten and we wound up winning it.
''We can't get down. There are 17 games left and a Big Ten tournament and possibly a postseason. It's times like this when we figure out our true character, whether it be individually or collectively. We can't get down.''
Randle sustained a mild concussion in Sunday's upset loss to Tennessee State and was a surprise starter after Weber categorized him as ''doubtful'' on Wednesday.
But he played 37 minutes and collaborated with senior center Shaun Pruitt in leading the Illini to a 30-29 halftime lead.
After making all five of his shots and grabbing five rebounds in the first half, Pruitt was limited to two points and three rebounds in the second half.
Matta changed his zone defense from a 3-2 in the first half to a 2-3 in the second and it became much more difficult for Illinois to get the ball inside. Perpetuating a season-long problem, the Illini were unable to hit 3-point shots to loosen the defense. They missed 17-of-21 attempts from beyond the arc.
''We've been playing a lot of zone this year and it has been good to us,'' Matta said. ''This is a young, young team and every day we go into unchartered waters. Winning tonight is big for us. This is one of the toughest places to play in college basketball.
''Four years ago we had to take Jamar out of the game here because his eyes were too wide.''
CHAMPAIGN, Ill.: There was a Michael Jordan impersonator in Assembly Hall on Thursday night. Unfortunately for all those Illinois fans bedecked in orange and blue, he was wearing the scarlet and gray of Ohio State.
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