Imagine Jeff Teague playing at Southern Illinois. It nearly happened.

Teague was one of those late-bloomers. There were always one or two guys that came out of nowhere at the ABCD Camp in New Jersey - and Teague was one of those guys a few years back.

``I was about to commit to Southern Illinois before ABCD Camp," Teague said. "But my dad talked to me about it and convinced me to wait."

Wake had expressed interest prior to the camp and then-head coach and his staff stepped up their efforts after watching Teague in New Jersey. But the big boys came calling - Kansas, Georgia Tech and Washington.

Teague stuck with Wake because he felt more of a connection. More loyalty.

Now he's on the verge of becoming an All-American.

``Hands-down he's the best guard in the country," teammate Chas McFarland said after the win against North Carolina last night. ``He gets to the basket whenever he wants, can shoot the 3 and is athletic."

I'm not sure I'd go as far as to say he's the best guard in America, but he's certainly put himself in the conversation along with Stephen Curry and James Harden.

STUD OF NIGHT: Jeff Teague - The sophomore guard scored a career-high 34 points and was easily the best player on the floor as Wake Forest knocked off North Carolina.

DUD OF NIGHT: USC's Dwight Lewis has been one of the most underrated players on the west coast - and maybe even the country this season. However, Lewis was just 2-of-11 from the field and 0-of-3 from long distance in UCLA's win over USC at the Galen Center late last night.
 
STAT OF THE NIGHT: Purdue got its first Big Ten win and the Boilermakers did it against Wisconsin at home. Robbie Hummel (back) and Chris Kramer (foot) both returned after missing the loss at Penn State as Purdue won, 62-52. Hummel had 16 points and five boards, but it was long and talented big man JaJuan Johnson who went for 20 points and 10 rebounds.
 
WHAT YOU MISSED (UNDER-THE-RADAR PERFORMANCE): Marist guard David Devezin, a transfer from Texas A&M, scored a career-high 23 points as the Red Foxes handed Niagara its first conference loss.
 
ON TAP TODAY: Oklahoma's Blake Griffin and the Sooners will attempt to knock off Texas tonight in Norman. The Longhorns have had OU's number of late, but point guard play should be the key to tonight's game.