Former Wisconsin star guard Chucky Hepburn had arguably the best outing of his college basketball career on Thursday.
In Louisville’s 79-70 overtime win over West Virginia, the former Badger tallied 32 points, three rebounds, two assists and six steals on 8-of-12 shooting and 14-of-17 from the free throw line.
Related: Updated Big Ten basketball power rankings (Nov. 25): Wisconsin continues to rise
Those 32 points are a career-high for the veteran point guard. His previous top output was a 27-point outing in Wisconsin’s NIT second-round win over Liberty on March 19, 2023.
“It’s senior year. I think I lay in the back seat for a long time,” Hepburn told ESPN after the win. “It’s time to show the world who Chucky Hepburn is. I’m a bucket-getter, one of the best point guards in the country, and I stand by that.”
“It’s time to show the world who Chucky Hepburn is. I’m a bucket-getter, one of the best point guards in the country, and I stand by that.” pic.twitter.com/Zvm5GfjDTS
— Jacob Padilla (@JacobPadilla_) November 28, 2024
Hepburn’s per-game averages are now up to 15.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 4.2 steals in 29 minutes per game of action. That 4.2 steal-per-game clip is currently No. 1 in the entire country — nobody else averages more than four.
The win over West Virginia improved the Cardinals to 5-1 on the season and clinched their ticket to the 2024 Battle 4 Atlantis championship game. They will face the Oklahoma Sooners on Friday evening.
The contest also reinserted Hepburn into the national conversation. After operating as Wisconsin’s secondary option behind Johnny Davis then A.J. Storr, as well as forward Tyler Wahl, Hepburn is now leading a Louisville team that appears in line for a resurgent campaign.
Hepburn’s decision to transfer from Wisconsin was headline news in March. His stellar play at Louisville and spot as the nation’s-best defender continues to lead those headlines.
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