Illinois-Chicago coach Bob Hallberg says he always knew Kenny Williams could do it. The only question was: When?
Williams was a highly touted point guard out of Lyons Township when he arrived at UIC last year as heir-apparent to Tony Freeman.
A freshman season in which he averaged 7.8 points gave a preview of things to come, but getting the job done as a part-time player and getting it done as the starting point man are, well, different.
Williams, though, has been an example of truth in advertising.
After a slow start-he scored only four points against North Park in the season opener, 11 against Northeastern Illinois-Williams has settled in like a pro.
”I just think being in charge was a new role for him,” says Hallberg of Williams` blah start. ”Last year there was no pressure on him because Freeman was always out there. But he`s responded. If he continues to improve as much as he has between his freshman and sophomore years, he`ll really be something as a senior.”
Through 17 games, Williams` 15-point average, 46 percent field-goal percentage and 2.7 steals rank him among the Mid-Continent Conference leaders. Williams, who has averaged 17 points and five assists over UIC`s last 10 games, including a career-high 25 points against Western Illinois, had 21 points and eight assists Saturday in UIC`s 77-60 romp over Akron.
”As a point guard (Green Bay`s) Tony Bennett is in a class by himself in this league,” says Hallberg, ”but the way he`s playing you`d have to say Kenny is No. 2.”