Illini's Brandon Paul projected as 2nd round pick in 2013 NBA Draft

Senior guard Brandon Paul of Illinois is projected to be a second round pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, according to DraftExpress.com.

DraftExpress has Paul being selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 12th pick in the second round of the draft and also ranks him as the seventh best senior in this year's draft class.

Paul is averaging 19.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this season for Illinois and leads the team in all three categories.

Paul had a season-high 35 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the field including 5-of-9 from three-point territory in Illinois' signature win over then No. 10 Gonzaga on Dec. 8.

Paul will have an opportunity to further increase his draft stock this season as Illinois still has No. 12 Missouri, No. 7 Ohio State, No. 13 Minnesota, No. 3 Michigan, No. 19 Michigan State and No. 1 Indiana ahead on the schedule.

After opening the season with 11 wins in a row, Illinois is ranked No. 10 in both the USA Today and AP polls.