Premium ContentMouse over Home then click on Premium Content for information.You don't need a long list of big-name schools recruiting you or a picture-perfect jump shot to make a mark in basketball.
Today's case in point: Northwestern forward John Shurna.
The 6-9, 215-pound senior from Glen Ellyn, Ill., chose the Wildcats over such "powerhouses'' as Washington State, Loyola of Chicago, Wisconsin-Green Bay and Davidson.
As for his jump shot, which Northwestern coach Bill Carmody calls "funky,'' it's more of an arms-extended fling from the forehead than anything resembling a classic jump shot.
No matter. Shurna on Saturday became Northwestern's all-time leading scorer with 1,902 career points, passing guard Billy McKinney (1974-77).
Shurna has 41 20-point games in his career, the most among active Big Ten players. He also leads the league in scoring at 20.2 points a game.
As for that jump shot?
"It is a funky-looking thing,'' Carmody said Monday, chuckling. "He didn't shoot a lot of 3s in high school. In AAUs — in warmups, actually — we saw it.
"When he got here, my assistants were talking about it early on. But the thing we noticed was it went in a lot. So we didn't mess around with it.''
Though Shurna goes through an odd motion to get the ball ready to fire, Carmody loves what he sees from there.
"At the end, his release is great,'' the coach said. "It looks a little different, like a push shot. But it comes off his hand great, and he follows through really well.''
A smile at Illinois
Illinois sophomore center Meyers Leonard was caught by TV cameras crying on the bench during the final minutes of the Illini's 80-57 loss at Nebraska.
On Monday, Leonard found something to smile about. His brother, who has been serving with the U.S. military in Afghanistan, has returned home.
"Meyers didn't know, but I knew he was coming back,'' Illinois coach Bruce Weber said Monday. "No doubt (it affected him). He's a kid. You worry about your brother, you worry about your mom and your family. It takes a toll.
"I always ask, 'How's your brother?' because when you have somebody in the line of combat, every day you have a fear. It's a nice sense or relief for him.''
Player honors
Player of the week: Michigan State forward Draymond Green. The senior from Saginaw, Mich., averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in wins over Wisconsin and Purdue.
Freshman of the week: Michigan point guard Trey Burke. The Columbus, Ohio, product had 17 points and five assists in a win over Ohio State.
Quote of the week
Illinois coach Bruce Weber on his team's collapse — being outscored 43-7 in one stretch — during an 80-57 loss at Nebraska, the Illini's eighth loss in nine games after a 15-3 start:
"All the close losses, the disappointment, the emotion finally took a toll on our guys. It kind of all unraveled.''
Contact the writer:
402-444-1024, lee.barfknecht@owh.com
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