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Big Matt and next year's defense

Hkjb

Well-Known Member
Apr 23, 2016
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Watching the Ohio State game I noticed Robbie Hummel describing Nicholson as the "anchor" of our defense. Though I never thought about it in quite that way, he is right in terms of Nicholson being key. I hope our defense is great next year - but I am worried about how we defend without a maestro like big Matt. Defensively he does so many little things very, very well. Eager to hear if anyone else has this concern?
 
I think it's why everyone who is talking about portal additions is hoping for a quality big man in the offseason. Nicholson, for all his limitations, in my opinion is outstanding defensively, and NU is going to miss him next year. Hunger/Bennerman are nowhere near going to be able to fill his shoes, and they might not even be able to fill Fitzmorris' shoes, who NU will also miss as a non-stiff big man off the bench (those are valuable too).
 
Did I hear my name?

I am concerned and I am confident the coaching staff will find a solution built around whatever talent they bring in for next season.
 
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What Smelly said. Matt is an elite defender and his presence will be greatly missed. Only God knows what the portal will bring, but recent yields of Fitz, Preston and Tydus tells me we are going to have to pony up some NIL to find a decent center.
Yep, we are in trouble at the 5 if we don’t bring in one or even two capable players.
 
Northwestern's defense under Chris Collins (and most defenses) starts and ends with whoever is protecting the paint. Throughout Collins' tenure at NU, the three best teams have all featured a strong defensive post presence, players like Pardon and Nicholson. They anchored the defense, creating an impenetrable wall against opposing players. The post traps, when executed properly, played directly to these anchors' strengths as defenders and were really fun to watch.

Matt's struggles on the offensive end have been well-documented, but his growth on the defensive side of the ball was crucial to NU's success. His improvement allowed the team to perform at an elite defensive level. His emergence contributed to one of the best defensive units I’ve seen in a while. Coupled with a healthy Audige and a gritty Barnhizer, the team’s defensive tone shifted significantly. The addition of a defensive-minded assistant coach certainly didn’t hurt either.

At the core of it all was Nicholson’s presence in the paint. We’ll miss his impact on that end of the floor. Defense is often the last thing people notice or evaluate accurately due to ball-watching and the lack of stats that measure it properly. Nicholson, though, was an exceptional defender and unquestionably earned the title of anchor. We will miss him next year, even more so without an adequate replacement.
 
Collins and our defensive ratings over the years:

2014 - 23rd nationally, 4th in B1G. Alex Olah - 29.5 mpg, Nikola Cerina - 8.8 mpg
2015 - 151st nationally, 13th in B1G. Alex Olah - 29.4 mpg, Jeremiah Kreisberg - 6.5 mpg, Gavin Skelly - 7.2 mpg
2016 - 87th nationally, 8th in B1G. Alex Olah - 23.8 mpg, Dererk Pardon - 16.5 mpg, Joey Van Zegeren - 11.6 mpg
2017 - 32nd nationally, 4th in B1G. Dererk Pardon - 30.8 mpg, Barret Benson - 7.8 mpg
2018 - 90th nationally, 11th in B1G. Dererk Pardon - 32.4 mpg, Barret Benson - 9.7 mpg
2019 - 19th nationally, 4th in B1G. Dererk Pardon - 33.0 mpg, Barret Benson - 9.5 mpg
2020 - 150th nationally, 13th in B1G. Ryan Young - 25.8 mpg, Jared Jones - 10.2 mpg, Pete Nance - 4.4 mpg (at C)
2021 - 37th nationally, 6th in B1G. Pete Nance - 20.6 mpg (at C), Ryan Young - 19.8 mpg
2022 - 73rd nationally, 7th in B1G. Pete Nance - 19.5 mpg (at C), Ryan Young - 17.4 mpg, Matthew Nicholson - 3.8 mpg
2023 - 22nd nationally, 3rd in B1G. Matthew Nicholson - 21.0 mpg, Tydus Verhoeven - 15.8 mpg, Robbie Beran - 3.5 mpg (at C)
2024 - 54th nationally, 7th in B1G. Matthew Nicholson - 22.4 mpg, Luke Hunger - 12.7 mpg, Blake Preston - 10.3 mpg
2025 - 52nd nationally, 12th in B1G. Matthew Nicholson - 24.2 mpg, Luke Hunger - 13.0 mpg, Keenan Fitzmorris - 10.1 mpg
 
Collins and our defensive ratings over the years:

2014 - 23rd nationally, 4th in B1G. Alex Olah - 29.5 mpg, Nikola Cerina - 8.8 mpg
2015 - 151st nationally, 13th in B1G. Alex Olah - 29.4 mpg, Jeremiah Kreisberg - 6.5 mpg, Gavin Skelly - 7.2 mpg
2016 - 87th nationally, 8th in B1G. Alex Olah - 23.8 mpg, Dererk Pardon - 16.5 mpg, Joey Van Zegeren - 11.6 mpg
2017 - 32nd nationally, 4th in B1G. Dererk Pardon - 30.8 mpg, Barret Benson - 7.8 mpg
2018 - 90th nationally, 11th in B1G. Dererk Pardon - 32.4 mpg, Barret Benson - 9.7 mpg
2019 - 19th nationally, 4th in B1G. Dererk Pardon - 33.0 mpg, Barret Benson - 9.5 mpg
2020 - 150th nationally, 13th in B1G. Ryan Young - 25.8 mpg, Jared Jones - 10.2 mpg, Pete Nance - 4.4 mpg (at C)
2021 - 37th nationally, 6th in B1G. Pete Nance - 20.6 mpg (at C), Ryan Young - 19.8 mpg
2022 - 73rd nationally, 7th in B1G. Pete Nance - 19.5 mpg (at C), Ryan Young - 17.4 mpg, Matthew Nicholson - 3.8 mpg
2023 - 22nd nationally, 3rd in B1G. Matthew Nicholson - 21.0 mpg, Tydus Verhoeven - 15.8 mpg, Robbie Beran - 3.5 mpg (at C)
2024 - 54th nationally, 7th in B1G. Matthew Nicholson - 22.4 mpg, Luke Hunger - 12.7 mpg, Blake Preston - 10.3 mpg
2025 - 52nd nationally, 12th in B1G. Matthew Nicholson - 24.2 mpg, Luke Hunger - 13.0 mpg, Keenan Fitzmorris - 10.1 mpg
Thanks for putting this together, Cappy. When I look at our best defensive teams during the Collins era, I see a veteran post player and a strong on-ball perimeter defender combo:
2014: Alex Olah and Sanjay Lumpkin
2019: Dererk Pardon and Vic Law
2022: Matt Nicholson and Chase Audige

With regards to next year, gonna need Luke Hunger to really level up defensively. (What he's got going for him is familiarity with Lowery's system, but so far in his career he hasn't shown alot of evidence that would validate making that bet.). Or, Collins finds a strong post-defender in the portal (likely a grad transfer which assumes they have the physical maturity and game experience to execute in role).

In terms of wing defender, hopefully Mullins can step into that role.
 
Northwestern's defense under Chris Collins (and most defenses) starts and ends with whoever is protecting the paint. Throughout Collins' tenure at NU, the three best teams have all featured a strong defensive post presence, players like Pardon and Nicholson. They anchored the defense, creating an impenetrable wall against opposing players. The post traps, when executed properly, played directly to these anchors' strengths as defenders and were really fun to watch.

Matt's struggles on the offensive end have been well-documented, but his growth on the defensive side of the ball was crucial to NU's success. His improvement allowed the team to perform at an elite defensive level. His emergence contributed to one of the best defensive units I’ve seen in a while. Coupled with a healthy Audige and a gritty Barnhizer, the team’s defensive tone shifted significantly. The addition of a defensive-minded assistant coach certainly didn’t hurt either.

At the core of it all was Nicholson’s presence in the paint. We’ll miss his impact on that end of the floor. Defense is often the last thing people notice or evaluate accurately due to ball-watching and the lack of stats that measure it properly. Nicholson, though, was an exceptional defender and unquestionably earned the title of anchor. We will miss him next year, even more so without an adequate replacement.
Great points - a lot of food for thought there. Makes me rue that we were not able to get a younger center learning from Matt in practices. For whatever reason, Hunger doesn't seem to have picked up the same gifts/intensity defensively.
 
Collins and our defensive ratings over the years:

2014 - 23rd nationally, 4th in B1G. Alex Olah - 29.5 mpg, Nikola Cerina - 8.8 mpg
2015 - 151st nationally, 13th in B1G. Alex Olah - 29.4 mpg, Jeremiah Kreisberg - 6.5 mpg, Gavin Skelly - 7.2 mpg
2016 - 87th nationally, 8th in B1G. Alex Olah - 23.8 mpg, Dererk Pardon - 16.5 mpg, Joey Van Zegeren - 11.6 mpg
2017 - 32nd nationally, 4th in B1G. Dererk Pardon - 30.8 mpg, Barret Benson - 7.8 mpg
2018 - 90th nationally, 11th in B1G. Dererk Pardon - 32.4 mpg, Barret Benson - 9.7 mpg
2019 - 19th nationally, 4th in B1G. Dererk Pardon - 33.0 mpg, Barret Benson - 9.5 mpg
2020 - 150th nationally, 13th in B1G. Ryan Young - 25.8 mpg, Jared Jones - 10.2 mpg, Pete Nance - 4.4 mpg (at C)
2021 - 37th nationally, 6th in B1G. Pete Nance - 20.6 mpg (at C), Ryan Young - 19.8 mpg
2022 - 73rd nationally, 7th in B1G. Pete Nance - 19.5 mpg (at C), Ryan Young - 17.4 mpg, Matthew Nicholson - 3.8 mpg
2023 - 22nd nationally, 3rd in B1G. Matthew Nicholson - 21.0 mpg, Tydus Verhoeven - 15.8 mpg, Robbie Beran - 3.5 mpg (at C)
2024 - 54th nationally, 7th in B1G. Matthew Nicholson - 22.4 mpg, Luke Hunger - 12.7 mpg, Blake Preston - 10.3 mpg
2025 - 52nd nationally, 12th in B1G. Matthew Nicholson - 24.2 mpg, Luke Hunger - 13.0 mpg, Keenan Fitzmorris - 10.1 mpg
I spot checked your list against Torvik and he has the 2023 team ranked #18.
Are you using KenPom or something else?
(Always helps to list your source)
 
What Smelly said. Matt is an elite defender and his presence will be greatly missed. Only God knows what the portal will bring, but recent yields of Fitz, Preston and Tydus tells me we are going to have to pony up some NIL to find a decent center.
I don't even think God knows. The portal is that unpredictable.
 
I think it's why everyone who is talking about portal additions is hoping for a quality big man in the offseason. Nicholson, for all his limitations, in my opinion is outstanding defensively, and NU is going to miss him next year. Hunger/Bennerman are nowhere near going to be able to fill his shoes, and they might not even be able to fill Fitzmorris' shoes, who NU will also miss as a non-stiff big man off the bench (those are valuable too).
We have brought in a BIG each of the last couple years but we did not have a starting spot. For next year we do so that is what I expect to see
 
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Of the 84 players who are 6'10" or taller, have played 40% or more of their team's minutes and are listed as seniors on EvanMiya.com, it looks like these 12 guys have eligibility (as potential grad transfers)

Oscar Cluff - S. Dakota State
Jackson Moni - N Dakota St.
Ante Brzovic - Charleston
Dane Erikstrup - Washington State
Federiko Federiko - Texas Tech (previously Pitt)
Nick Pringle - South Carolina
______________________________________________
Steven Jamerson - San Diego
Carlton Linguard - South Florida
Matt Van Komen - Elon
AD Diedhiou - Louisiana-Monroe
Ja'Derryus Eatmon - Florida A&M
Stephon Roberts - Saint Peter's

There's just not much to acquire in the "big man" grad transfer pool. There may be some additional guys who were injured this year.
 
What Smelly said. Matt is an elite defender and his presence will be greatly missed. Only God knows what the portal will bring, but recent yields of Fitz, Preston and Tydus tells me we are going to have to pony up some NIL to find a decent center.
Tydus was a solid defender, always known for his defense over his offense when we brought him in. The irony is that Matt's offense has fallen off this season without Boo throwing him Nicholbombs.

Matt has grown into an even better defender and disruptive presence in the paint. Two seasons ago I'm not sure how many thought Matt would primarily be known for his defense.
 
Of the 84 players who are 6'10" or taller, have played 40% or more of their team's minutes and are listed as seniors on EvanMiya.com, it looks like these 12 guys have eligibility (as potential grad transfers)

Oscar Cluff - S. Dakota State
Jackson Moni - N Dakota St.
Ante Brzovic - Charleston
Dane Erikstrup - Washington State
Federiko Federiko - Texas Tech (previously Pitt)
Nick Pringle - South Carolina
______________________________________________
Steven Jamerson - San Diego
Carlton Linguard - South Florida
Matt Van Komen - Elon
AD Diedhiou - Louisiana-Monroe
Ja'Derryus Eatmon - Florida A&M
Stephon Roberts - Saint Peter's

There's just not much to acquire in the "big man" grad transfer pool. There may be some additional guys who were injured this year.

200.gif
 
Of the 84 players who are 6'10" or taller, have played 40% or more of their team's minutes and are listed as seniors on EvanMiya.com, it looks like these 12 guys have eligibility (as potential grad transfers)

Oscar Cluff - S. Dakota State
Jackson Moni - N Dakota St.
Ante Brzovic - Charleston
Dane Erikstrup - Washington State
Federiko Federiko - Texas Tech (previously Pitt)
Nick Pringle - South Carolina
______________________________________________
Steven Jamerson - San Diego
Carlton Linguard - South Florida
Matt Van Komen - Elon
AD Diedhiou - Louisiana-Monroe
Ja'Derryus Eatmon - Florida A&M
Stephon Roberts - Saint Peter's

There's just not much to acquire in the "big man" grad transfer pool. There may be some additional guys who were injured this year.
I assume Chris will focus on a solely defense and rebounding big. Which means we’re going to need to get scoring from a PG.
 
Of the 84 players who are 6'10" or taller, have played 40% or more of their team's minutes and are listed as seniors on EvanMiya.com, it looks like these 12 guys have eligibility (as potential grad transfers)

Oscar Cluff - S. Dakota State
Jackson Moni - N Dakota St.
Ante Brzovic - Charleston
Dane Erikstrup - Washington State
Federiko Federiko - Texas Tech (previously Pitt)
Nick Pringle - South Carolina
______________________________________________
Steven Jamerson - San Diego
Carlton Linguard - South Florida
Matt Van Komen - Elon
AD Diedhiou - Louisiana-Monroe
Ja'Derryus Eatmon - Florida A&M
Stephon Roberts - Saint Peter's

There's just not much to acquire in the "big man" grad transfer pool. There may be some additional guys who were injured this year.
We need to find a Yanic Niederhauser
 
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All I’ll add to the discussion, with the obvious and correct point being NU will need not just a big depth acquisition this offseason but really an impact rim presence addition, is anybody who questioned Matt’s usefulness due to the lack of scoring production is going to realize really fast next year how significant a player he is.
 
All I’ll add to the discussion, with the obvious and correct point being NU will need not just a big depth acquisition this offseason but really an impact rim presence addition, is anybody who questioned Matt’s usefulness due to the lack of scoring production is going to realize really fast next year how significant a player he is.
I don't think anyone has questioned Matt's usefulness since 2022.
 
I don't think anyone has questioned Matt's usefulness since 2022.

We'd all love to think so, but Nicholson has been criticized for so long, people just forget how much he was criticized.
Yes there were a few of us who realized he was going to be a decent player before (or by) November of 2022, but it has taken forever for many others

Here's an example from a month ago...
Nicholson is pretty awful sorry

and another from 4 weeks ago
Nicholson with two awful defensive possessions. Coach needs to do something.

and this from Novermber 2024
I said Nicholson and Berry needed to be benched. Now I’m thinking they need to be expelled.
Nicholson suuuuuuuuucks

There are hundreds of comments along those lines. Maybe even a thousand.

This one assesses the commentary as of Feb 2024...
Interesting to read how Preston was a great addition at the beginning of the season and Nicholson was terrible. Now opinions on balance are completely reversed. Still a lot of season left.
 
That's not really questioning his usefulness as a player. Those are from game threads. I've learned that those are just people venting. There were people in game threads who wanted Boo Buie shot into the sun.*
*hyperbole

You're being way too kind.
 
That's not really questioning his usefulness as a player. Those are from game threads. I've learned that those are just people venting. There were people in game threads who wanted Boo Buie shot into the sun.*
*hyperbole
There are a ton of misguided posts every week. The Boo stinks posts were not unusual. We have Nick taking hits. Barney even took hits earlier this year. Berry, destroyed at the beginning of this year. Clayton is the Jack Lausch of basketball.

Big Matt is far closer to THE fan favorite around here than the guy who always gets criticized. People pointing out that he has limited offensive game and is a poor free throw shooter aren’t wrong, yet that seems to rub some the wrong way.

There are no sacred cows here, and we’ll see the same “victory lap” from some here with KJ and Gelo when they noticeably improve next season! Most young players improve. They aren’t the same player they were 1 year ago or even 5 months ago. Big Matt dramatically improved during his time at NU. We can find incorrect takes from EVERY poster here even thought some don’t ever admit it.
 
That's not really questioning his usefulness as a player. Those are from game threads. I've learned that those are just people venting. There were people in game threads who wanted Boo Buie shot into the sun.*
*hyperbole

Message board posters say wild things in game threads.

November 2022 game thread.
Beran looks so much more composed than Buie and Audige on offense.

December 2022 game thread

God, we are awful. Just no skill and a terrible scheme where Buie just dribbles around for 20 seconds.


November 2022 game thread

Much better with buie out!

There’s definitely worse out there but these were some of the first ones that popped up when you search old threads for Buie.

Buie is a player who a ton of people said sucked and was not a true pg. Very few defended him, especially during his sophomore season.

February 2022

Buie is one of the better guards in the B1G. Yet I’ve read on this board that Buie is not a true point. He’s too 3 in assists in the B1G. 14th in scoring. He’s definitely a Top 3 NU PG since I’ve been watching. Idk what people expect from him to become a true point. He’s become at least a serviceable defender as well. That and his passing/court vision were his biggest areas of improvement freshman year. Now it’s just consistency and to play controlled and not go for the flashy play.
 
Message board posters say wild things in game threads.

November 2022 game thread.


December 2022 game thread




November 2022 game thread



There’s definitely worse out there but these were some of the first ones that popped up when you search old threads for Buie.

Buie is a player who a ton of people said sucked and was not a true pg. Very few defended him, especially during his sophomore season.

February 2022
Kid, you get the victory lap for this post.
 
Kid, you get the victory lap for this post.
I remember a phone call with my dad during the MSU game Buie’s freshman year. We both gushed about his potential and my dad said “I’ve seen a northwestern player breakdown a defender off the dribble like that before”. I’ve posted that quote before and will keep doing it because it was accurate then and still is to this day. I don’t think either us expected what was to come but it was pretty clear he had a shot at being special from the moment he put on an NU uniform.

Edit: Players aren’t stagnant they do change year to year game to game. Just because Buie ended up the GOAT does not necessarily mean I was right in him being a top 3 NU guard his Sophomore season since Carmody. I’d argue the tape would tell you I was right but most people thought differently at the time.
 
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