>>Illini Get Past Norfolk State
Brandon Paul scored 14 points and D.J. Richardson overcame a shoulder injury to add 11 and help 10th-ranked Illinois hold off Norfolk State 64-54 on Tuesday night.
The Illini (11-0) were coming of a win at Gonzaga on Saturday that helped move them into the top 10, but were sluggish against the Spartans. Illinois was shooting 46% from the field coming in but shot just 35% on the night.
Rashid Gaston scored 12 points and Pendarvis Williams added 11 for Norfolk State (6-6), which led for much of the first half.
Richardson left late in the first half with a badly bruised shoulder but returned. His layup with just under two minutes remaining put the Illini up 56-51 and they went on to get the win.
NCAA Top-25 Basketball ("USA Today" Rankings)
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#3 Michigan Wolverines 67, Binghamton Bearcats 39
#16 Minnesota Golden Gophers 70, North Dakota State Bison 57
>>Illini's Paul Named Player of the Week
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has chosen Illinois guard Brandon Paul as its national player of the week after his 35-point game at Gonzaga.
The association said Tuesday that it chose Paul for the honor.
Paul and the now-No. 10 Illini upset Gonzaga on the road Saturday 85-74. Gonzaga was ranked 10th coming into the game and heavily favored.
The Illini also beat Western Carolina 72-64 last week. Between the two games the 6-4 Paul averaged 24.5 points and three rebounds.
Paul leads the Illini for the season with 19.5 points a game. He also averages 4.4 rebounds.
Paul also earned him Big Ten player of the week honors.
