Game Thread: Northwestern vs. Michigan State

[mshelton33]

Northwestern (20-9, 11-7 Big Ten) is on the road at Michigan State (17-12, 9-9 Big Ten). The game will air on BTN and is scheduled to tip off at 6 pm CT.

Matt Nicholson has been ruled out, Ryan Langborg has been ruled questionable and is expected to play. Langborg has missed the past two games with an ankle injury suffered against Michigan.

 

[PurpWildCatNation]

I have zero predictions for this game. We're gonna need another one of those magical career defining games from Boo to have a shot

 

[EagerFan]

First play, foul on Hunger.

 

[PurpWildCatNation]

First play, foul on Hunger.

Ugh.

 

[PurpWildCatNation]

Langborg hitting from Evanston

 

[drewjin]

Who is that idiot ref?!?!

 

[ubercat]

BS travel call

 

[SmellyCat]

My preference would be for Northwestern to win tonight. Thank you.

 

[DaCat]

BS travel call

Collins screaming he never had the ball.

 

[SmellyCat]

If only Michigan State could've given Iowa some of those missed shots.

 

[zbag51]

Man this is stressful. But we’ve got a lead so far so I’ll take it. Did they say at the beginning of the game that Nicholson was being re-evaluated every day? As in he might come back this season? Or is that just wishful thinking?

 

[DaCat]

Small ball lineup was pretty good for us. Martinelli does everything well.

 

[PurpWildCatNation]

Barnhizer struggling a bit but Sparty is shooting 20% from the field lulz!

 

[CatManTrue]

Barnhizer struggling a bit but Sparty is shooting 20% from the field lulz!

We’re at 33% from the field currently… 🤮

 

[PurpWildCatNation]

These refs are comically bad

 

[stpaulcat]

Another day, another nailbiter.

 

[PurpWildCatNation]

We’re at 33% from the field currently… 🤮

Just another example of us not knowing how to play with a lead

 

[SmellyCat]

Man this is stressful. But we’ve got a lead so far so I’ll take it. Did they say at the beginning of the game that Nicholson was being re-evaluated every day? As in he might come back this season? Or is that just wishful thinking?

I think they said this weekend they'll re-evaluate. I wonder where the "broken foot" news came from and how true it was or if this is just some gamesmanship or if they're trying to signal to the tourney committee that they *could* be at full strength in the tourney or what. It's just been a little weird.

 

[ParisCat]

Man this is stressful. But we’ve got a lead so far so I’ll take it. Did they say at the beginning of the game that Nicholson was being re-evaluated every day? As in he might come back this season? Or is that just wishful thinking?

They said that. But I think it’s purposeful disinformation by NU until after Selection Sunday. Don’t give the committee a reason to keep us out.

 

[TheC]

We miss Matt. We can't rebound.

 

[CatManTrue]

they’re killing us with their offensive boards.

Nicholson’s absence being felt.

 

[PurpWildCatNation]

We miss Matt. We can't rebound.

Hungers 2 fouls before the game even started didn't help

 

[drewjin]

What a halftime score!!!!!!

 

[elgatoloco]

Rock fight!

 

[EagerFan]

Clearly both teams are playing ferocious defense that would crush lesser opponents.

 

[CappyNU]

 

[stpaulcat]

We miss Matt. We can't rebound.

But we are.

 

[SmellyCat]

They said that. But I think it’s purposeful disinformation by NU until after Selection Sunday. Don’t give the committee a reason to keep us out.

I think there's something to this. I don't like it and prefer that he'll be back, but it seems like something that NU might have to do. Just win tonight so that the question of Selection Sunday goes away.

 

[stpaulcat]

NU will win this if they aren't gassed in the last two minutes,

 

[SmellyCat]

I wonder how Langborg's ankle feels. He's missed his last six shots after making that early three.

 

[DaCat]

I wonder how Langborg's ankle feels. He's missed his last six shots after making that early three.

He’s moving around okay, so maybe just a little tentative.

 

[GatoLouco]

Did not watch the first half because of a spectacular high school choir concert.

Turned on the tv and before 2nd half starts Izzo is cozying up to the refs. All normal

 

[SmellyCat]

Hunger and Preston just never seem to be in the right position.

 

[PurpWildCatNation]

Bad omens on that Boo layup miss

 

[DaCat]

Both Boo and Borg missing at the rim early. We can’t afford to miss these chances.

 

[zbag51]

need to grab some rebounds

 

[bjm989]

We will not win if they get 4 shots per possession to our 1. Needs to change asap.

 

[PurpWildCatNation]

Us trying to rebound right now

 

[SmellyCat]

MSU is not taking advantage of the offensive boards by scoring points (I count just one point off offensive rebounds for MSU who have five OR already in the second half), but they're breaking our will. If NU doesn't change something, and fast, this could be a blowout.

 

[PurpWildCatNation]

What are we doing right now