Here’s what Coach Collins had to say today. Nothing.

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Bummer

Watching the Maryland and Indiana road games the last few weeks, it seemed to me that the crowds (and to a great extent the home teams) were not particularly inspired. Both venues are historically difficult for visiting teams, but they were not terribly daunting in those games. I have to wonder if that would have been true if the visitors were Purdue, MSU or the Illini. I have to think that the fans of those teams, and maybe some of the players, still think of the Cats as jNWU and not a team with the 2nd best conference record over the last two years.

A lot of people have posted about the Cats getting little respect from the refs this year. I do think that the apparent apathy the Cats seem to draw, the flip side of that, may be a small advantage down the stretch. I am hoping MSU is really locked behind NU in the standings when they play in East Lansing and that apathy reigns that day.

Wondering if anyone has any thoughts.

Remember Ken Norman? He played basketball for Illinois from 1984-87, then played in the NBA for 10 years for the Clippers, Bucks and Hawks.

This is his GRANDSON.

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And his wife, Caley Chelios, on the birth of their baby daughter.

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Is not dressed for warmups and will likely not play tonight. He's in sweats with a brace on his right ankle next to Ty Berry in warm ups.

does the B1G Tournament start?

is pretty darn good, in an odd sort of way.

Nick Martinelli played the best game of his career (so far) and carried the short-handed Wildcats to a surprising win against Maryland.
After a couple of rough shooting performances, Nick has presumably quieted any remaining critics.
He and his buddy Barnhizer give NU a formidable inside scoring presence.

If you had told me a month ago that Northwestern would beat the Terps on their court, without Ty Berry or Ryan Langborg, I would not have believed it.
Former walk-on Blake Smith made a positive impression again, playing solid defense, hitting the boards and making 4 of 5 from the charity stripe.
Not bad for a guy listed at 6'6" 175 lbs, but he does bring an element of quickness to the floor for Northwestern.
Matt Nicholson didn't play particularly well, but continued to do a lot of little things to help the team.
His "lightning-fast" drive from the 3 point arc, around a screen, down the baseline and in for a two handed dunk was one of the highlights for NU.
I also enjoyed watching him directing Barnhizer to come out from the paint to the arc so that he (Nicholson) could set a screen and get Barney a wide open look.
That was a nice surprise in a fantastic win.

Northwestern needs just one more win to lock up an NCAA berth.

Given the circumstances… down two starters, playing a walk on, against a solid opponent, with the tourney not a lock and wins needed… I’d say yes.

The only thing that is also under consideration to me, given injuries, was that amazing win in Feb. 2017 at Wisconsin when Scottie was out with mono and we smacked the Badgers (with the Sanjay exclamation point dunk).

Thoughts?

NU isn't quite sure what position Bradley Gompers would play for the Wildcats. They just know they want him.

With the conference being a little soft and the Cats strong, this was a year they could have conceivably won a share of, if not an outright conference title. While counterfactuals are always dicey, it is pretty easy to imagine Buie’s runner at Purdue going in and Berry avoiding his collision against Nebraska. If Boo scores, the Cats win that game, and it is hard to imagine them losing at Rutgers with Berry available. That would leave them at 13-4, with Purdue at 14-4 and Illinois 11-5.

With the standings at that level, there are multiple scenarios that end up with the Cats at the top of the conference, particularly since Purdue still has to visit the Illini.

I would really like to see NU win the conference, and this was easily their best chance in the 50+ years I have been a fan.

With less than seven months until the start of the 2024 season, Northwestern is still working to sign contracts for venues after its home schedule was disrupted by the rebuild of Ryan Field. @lou v and I report on what we've learned from a source close to the scheduling process, the possibilities of a Lambeau game in 2024 and 2025, and more surrounding Northwestern's efforts to lock in their home schedule away from home this season.

This could be the marquee match-up of the WLAX season. Good think it's being played on a weekday afternoon. 🤔

… that in addition to Ty, Borg would also be out

And Boo & Brooks would score 26 total points

And NU would shoot 15% from beyond the arc

And NU would lose the turnover battle

And NU would get hammered on the offensive glass

And the bench would score 5 total points

…all on the road…

I’d have bet a lot of money this would be an NU loss, and maybe by a lot.

And yet, it was a win. And almost a comfortable one. One of the most incredible wins during my entire Northwestern fandom. What a hell of a job by CCC and staff, and of course the guys. Nick M…what can you even say?

Also, in the trajectory of the season, this one is just a monster W. It’s our 20th overall and it guarantees a winning B1G record. I’m not quite sure this one guarantees us the tourney, but it just might have. And it takes soooo much pressure off the last three games. I’d say one more W (or more obviously) definitely sends us dancing.

Let’s pack WR against Iowa and Minny and give these guys the support they’ve more than earned!

Tyler Kolek from Marquette is getting first round NBA draft projections. I can’t find anything similar for Boo. Can anyone explain this? Kole’s is only one inch taller, and I understand the NBA prioritizes taller guards now.

What gives? Why the difference?

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Is it possible to be THIS stupid? Or is he intentionally f#$%ing with us?

Just curious for the other lawyers on the board - hypothetically speaking, what plausible causes of action exist against Dr. Cragg for his negligent mismanagement of the athletic department and who might have standing to bring such an action?

in NIL deals over the past two years.

Anyone have any tickets they’re selling or can’t use on Saturday? Looking for 3 to bring some family members. Thought I’d check here before committing to the secondary markets. Go Cats

I will be surprised if NU can beat Maryland on their home court, although very elated if they do. That would be a very good sign. If close, also a good sign.

But why are the starters in with less than 2 minutes to go and the game in hand?

We can’t afford any more injuries especially to Boo.

On the road down another guy. Gets it to guaranteed BIG winning record, 20 wins. Magic numbers. I felt that this would be the easiest of the four remainig games to win but still very tough because it was at their place and their D is really solid but I did not figure losing Langborg. Hpe he is back for IA

Northwestern (19-8, 10-6 Big Ten) is on the road after their 'bye week' to play at Maryland (15-13, 7-10 Big Ten). The game will air on BTN.

The Wildcats are looking for their 20th win of the season and a season sweep of the Terrapins, but will likely be without starting shooting guard Ryan Langborg, who did not dress for warm ups.