For two years now, the focus at Illinois-Chicago has been on just about everybody else.
On coach Bob Hallberg`s successful quest for his 400th collegiate coaching victory. On Brian Hill`s three-point shooting. On Kenny Williams`
emergence as Tony Freeman`s replacement at point guard this season. On Sean Buchanan`s rebounding goals.
But suddenly, here comes Travon Hughes.
Not out of nowhere, exactly. Hughes was a solid off guard for the Flames last year, averaging 8.8 points in his first season as a transfer from Southeast Community College in Beatrice, Neb.
The former Tilden star figured to start at that spot this season, and has. But there were contenders for his job and no certainty he could keep it. Now this. A career-high 23 points Dec. 23 against Chicago State. A 17-point effort Dec. 30 against Illinois, including a three-pointer at the buzzer to send it into overtime. Twenty-two points (6 of 9 from three-point range) Saturday in UIC`s 92-69 rout of Wright State.
Hughes said he never worried about all the competition for his job.”All it`s done is make me play better and harder,” he said.
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What he did worry about was a broken finger suffered over the summer in a pickup game.
”When I broke it, it took away a lot of my confidence,” he said.
”Then, after the finger healed, it still felt a little funny on my release. But now it feels good. We`re winning and I`m hitting.”