Paul, Illinois stun No. 5 Ohio State

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Brandon Paul awoke from a nap Tuesday to a text from Illinois coach Bruce Weber. The message was simple: It's your night.

Weber couldn't have known how right Weber was.

Paul scored a career-high 43 points -- the third-best scoring performance in Illinois basketball history -- to lead the Illini (15-3, 4-1) past the No. 5 Buckeyes, 79-74.

The most important of Paul's shots was an off-balance 3-pointer with 43 seconds left that gave Illinois a 74-70 lead, all but finishing the Buckeyes.

By then, the junior said, so many of his shots had fallen, he couldn't help but laugh to himself.

"I was laughing a couple times. After the first couple 3s, I just said I was going to keep shooting," Paul said, adding he didn't think he had ever scored 43, even in AAU ball. "That's the mindset that I've got to have."

"Brandon Paul played like a pro tonight," teammate Meyers Leonard said.

Buckeye coach Thad Matta said Paul's night -- and the Illinois win it guaranteed -- was among the best he has seen anyone have against Ohio State (15-3, 3-2).

Paul scored the final 15 points for the Illini.

AROUND THE NATION

BAYLOR FENDS OFF K-STATE -- At Manhattan, Kan., Perry Jones scored 17 points, and No. 4 Baylor held No. 18 Kansas State to one basket over the final five minutes to escape with a 75-73 victory. Quincy Acy and Brady Heslip added 13 points apiece for the Bears (16-0, 3-0 Big 12). Rodney McGruder scored 30 points on 10-for-14 shooting to lead Kansas State (12-2, 1-1). The Wildcats had the ball for the final 20.9 seconds, but failed to get off a shot.

CAROLINA ROLLS -- At Chapel Hill, N.C., Tyler Zeller scored 16 points to help No. 3 North Carolina beat Miami, 73-56. Dexter Strickland added 14 points and Kendall Marshall 12 for the Tar Heels (15-2, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference). Kenny Kadji scored 16 points for Miami (9-6, 0-2).

LOUISVILLE DEALT BLOWOUT -- At Providence, R.I., Bryce Cotton and Kadeem Batts each scored 27 points, and Providence (12-6, 1-4 Big East) gave Louisville coach Rick Pitino a 90-59 loss on a day the school honored his 1987 Final Four squad. Chris Smith led the Cardinals (13-4, 1-3) with 16 points.

MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE

AZTECS WIN SEVENTH STRAIGHT -- At San Diego, Chase Tapley scored 13 of his 24 points during a 24-3 run in the second half, and No. 22 San Diego State overcame a scare to run past Chicago State (0-16), 73-65. Jamaal Franklin had seven of his 16 points during the big run for the Aztecs (14-2), who won their seventh straight game.