I guess we'll have to start calling him Clutch.

Through the first four games of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men’s basketball season, many of the seniors are playing great basketball and blending in with the team.

Chris Hill is doing a lot more than blending. It seems that every time the Panthers have been in a tight spot, Hill has sunk a shot or come up with a tide-turning steal that builds the momentum of the team.

His success is directly proportional to the team's success. In the Panthers two losses this season, Hill had four points, four assists, one steal, six rebounds and is a disappointing 2-of-11 from the field. He didn't get timely shots, he forced the ball up court and he was generally ineffective.

However, in the team's two wins this year, Hill has been outstanding. He is 5-of-11 from the field, nothing outstanding, but is 43 percent in three-point shooting and gets timely shots.

Several of his buckets have come while UWM is down one, down two or tied. His swishes have made the student section explode and it was his shot two weeks ago against Upper Iowa that put UWM up for good.

His lead-taking shots aren't the only things that can attribute to his clutch play. When St. Louis was trying to retake the lead in the second half of Saturday's game, Hill came out of nowhere to steal a ball and give UWM another possession.

He stole the ball and took it the distance for a layup against Upper Iowa and has been the one to kick it to Adrian Tigert down low or to Boo Davis on the outside. If you look at who throws the ball to Joah Tucker before Tucker makes his move, you most likely will find out it has been Chris Hill, the court general.

When asked about his preparation for the St. Louis game, Hill stressed not fouling. "Coach (Rob Jeter) stressed that we have to stop fouling, stay in the game … I think that we were a lot better late in the game because Joah and I were in the game, and not in foul trouble."

If Chris Hill can keep himself out of foul trouble, he will be there at the end of the game to help UWM over the hump.

The time will come when UWM is behind, and they will need the spark to put them over the hump. Don't be surprised if that spark comes from point guard Chris Hill, who is becoming more of the clutch player that the Panthers need him to be.

> Comments