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Cats lose on a heartbreaking buzzer beater at Iowa, 80-79


Here are my takeaways from Northwestern's heartbreaking 80-79 loss at Iowa.
I’m cautiously optimistic for this season.

Postseason is key. 🔐

Even if it’s NIT. Barnhizer and Berry and Big Matt are the key big three 3️⃣

Of the CCC triangle 🫁
 
I’m cautiously optimistic for this season.

Postseason is key. 🔐

Even if it’s NIT. Barnhizer and Berry and Big Matt are the key big three 3️⃣

Of the CCC triangle 🫁
Mullins is making more and more of an impact as well. Unfortunately with those refs he could not stay on the floor. Officials were really affecting the game
 
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I’ll see you at the NCAa tournament, bro!
My hopes are not up for another March Madness run. The last two years were incredible. I am hopeful for a winning conference record this year… but am also realistic.

How soon we general fans forget Boo Buie & Langborg the Princeton transfer.

We had an embarrassment of talent last year. I would feel better if we had a true PG on the roster.

Barnhizer exerts too much energy when he gets pressured bringing the ball up (Boo handled every full court press seamlessly).

Big Ten defenses are too good. We need Berry and another ball handler to step up or Barnhizer will get eaten alive in Big Ten play as the Cat’s primary ball handler.

This ain’t football.
 
My hopes are not up for another March Madness run. The last two years were incredible. I am hopeful for a winning conference record this year… but am also realistic.

How soon we forget Boo Buie & Langborg the Princeton transfer.

We had an embarrassment of talent last year. I would feel better if we had a true PG on the roster.

Barnhizer exerts too much energy when he gets pressured bringing the ball up (Boo handled every full court seamlessly).

Big Ten defenses are too good. We need Berry and another ball handler or Barnhizer will get eaten alive in Big Ten play as the Cat’s primary ball handler.
Leach + healthy Ty + the gains from Mart and Barn + the emergence of Mullins as a glue guy/defender surpasses Langborg and Boo for me. This team is more talented and I don’t think we have seen the last of Windham or Jello in meaningful spots. Every player came back except the two guys you mentioned and every one of them so far has looked substantially better.

Seems like you are discounting player improvement as a form of talent infusion.
 
Leach + healthy Ty + the gains from Mart and Barn + the emergence of Mullins as a glue guy/defender surpasses Langborg and Boo for me. This team is more talented and I don’t think we have seen the last of Windham or Jello in meaningful spots. Every player came back except the two guys you mentioned and every one of them so far has looked substantially better.

Seems like you are discounting player improvement as a form of talent infusion.
You are discounting the loss of the best point guard and leader in program history.

Berry’s return and the other factors are helpful.

But I have watched some incredible point guards my entire basketball fandom, and Boo Buie was a transformative leader.

Again… who will bring the ball up when Barnhizer is gassed, zapped, and trapped?
 
You are discounting the loss of the best point guard and leader in program history.

Berry’s return and the other factors are helpful.

But I have watched some incredible point guards my entire basketball fandom, and Boo Buie was a transformative leader.

Again… who will bring the ball up when Barnhizer is gassed, zapped, and trapped?
Presumably Leach and Martinelli. Obviously this is our most glaring weakness and it will be the pressure point teams squeeze. But we have two guys who create mismatches for every team in the conference, too.
 
My hopes are not up for another March Madness run. The last two years were incredible. I am hopeful for a winning conference record this year… but am also realistic.

How soon we general fans forget Boo Buie & Langborg the Princeton transfer.

We had an embarrassment of talent last year. I would feel better if we had a true PG on the roster.

Barnhizer exerts too much energy when he gets pressured bringing the ball up (Boo handled every full court press seamlessly).

Big Ten defenses are too good. We need Berry and another ball handler to step up or Barnhizer will get eaten alive in Big Ten play as the Cat’s primary ball handler.

This ain’t football.
You will see a lot of Barnhizer playing point forward. Some games more than others. Will depend how much other teams press. The more they do, the more Leach will defer to Barnhizer and even Martinelli.
 
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