And for good reason. It had been a long night for Wilson who had played almost the entire game.
"The day after you definitely feel it," recalled the 6-foot-7 sophomore from Racine. "That's the first time I played anywhere close to that much and I definitely felt it the day after.
"Just tired, not really sore. Everything is kind of slow and you're kind of sluggish moving but it happens. That's what we have Ernest (Eugene, athletic trainer) for."
Wilson and teammate Jae Crowder both played 39 minutes against DePaul. Injuries to post players Chris Otule and Davante Gardner have necessitated that some of the Golden Eagles, Wilson included, log some big minutes.
While those 39 minutes were extreme, that game did illustrate just how important Wilson has become to the Golden Eagles as they head down the home stretch of the regular season.
Marquette (21-5, 10-3 Big East), which has won nine of its last 10 games, will play at Connecticut (16-9, 6-7) Saturday at 11 a.m. in a nationally televised matchup (ESPN). Wilson is expected to start in his fifth straight game in place of Gardner.
"He's our most talented player," said coach Buzz Williams of Wilson. "It's just his talent does not always show.
"I'm really proud of Jamil. He could end up being one of the better players that Marquette's had in the last couple of decades."
The injuries to Otule and Gardner have affected Wilson as much as anyone on the team.
Wilson started the season as a reserve but scored 11 points in his first career start on Jan. 1 in a home victory over Villanova. He also started in the next game, at Georgetown, but played only 14 minutes due to foul trouble.
Wilson went back to the bench until Gardner went down with a knee injury at Villanova on Jan. 28.
Wilson returned to the starting lineup where he has remained for the last four games and, while he has experienced some foul trouble, has performed well alongside Crowder as Marquette's undersized "big-man" duo.
Wilson's athleticism and versatility are valuable assets for the Golden Eagles in what has been a season of adjustment.
"(My role) changed offensively when Chris went out and then it changed again when Davante went out," said Wilson. "Instead of being on the wing a little bit sometimes when teams play zone, I'm more of an inside presence at least for rebounding.
"So it's changed a little bit but not too much. (Defensively), don't let the big guys score and get in there and get some rebounds here and there and try to alter some shots."
The 220-pound Wilson conceded that it wasn't always easy going against bigger players.
"It's a toll on your body more than it is a problem," said Wilson. "Going against bigger guys can really be hard and tough, especially when you're my size."
For the season, Wilson is averaging 6.8 points on 43.9% shooting, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 22.2 minutes per game. But in the last four games as a starter, Wilson is averaging 12.0 points on 50.0% shooting, 5.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 31.0 minutes.
His 18 points, 10 rebounds and 39 minutes against DePaul were all season highs. That game remains the crown jewel of his season and stands as an illustration of what he can mean to the team.
"Guys were looking for me a lot more in the block," said Wilson. "We have a chance to do something great (this season), so I'm just glad to be a part of it."
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