Game Thread: Northwestern vs. Minnesota

[mshelton33]

Northwestern (14-13, 5-11 Big Ten) is on the road to play Minnesota (14-13, 6-10 Big Ten) at The Barn. The game is set to tip off at 6 pm CT and will air on Peacock.

A win tonight would give Northwestern a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Gophers, and make them a Top 15 team in the Big Ten standings, on track for the conference tournament.

 

[FeralFelidae]

Why are the Minnesota players on the bench wearing the flag of Bolivia on their shirts?

 

[ubercat]

They’re all from LaPaz

 

[GatoLouco]

We started really aware of where Garcia was. Good floating denying him lanes too. And then we started having brains farts. Clean it up.

 

[TheC]

Stupid Cock of Pea! If anyone is watching this, feel free to leave updates.

 

[SimpsonElmwood]

Looking good so far.

By the way, I like Peacock. Lots of shows available on demand, plus Premier League.

 

[FeralFelidae]

Nice bucket from Hunger. Then a nice offensive board and put-back from Hunger. Where has this guy been?

 

[SimpsonElmwood]

Hunger looks like he wants it.

 

[PURPLECAT88]

Hunger with his best minutes in conference play. Playing for Mart.

 

[GatoLouco]

I’m stunned how good a job Hunger is doing on Garcia. Only once I could see he was clearly out of position

 

[GatoLouco]

And as I flattered him he was caught the 2nd time and gave up a 3

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Hunger is giving us something.

 

[TheC]

7-12 from 3... if you're a Minny fan, you gotta think that ain't sustainable for us

 

[FeralFelidae]

7-12 from 3... if you're a Minny fan, you gotta think that ain't sustainable for us

And as a 'Cats fan I think we're due.

 

[Davidgolds5]

Hunger is giving us something.

Decent hunger usually leads to really bad hunger.

 

[PURPLECAT88]

Minnesota is staying in the game because of the offensive glass. We’ve got to clean that up.

 

[SmellyCat]

Martinelli having one of his best games of the season. You wouldn't know he was hurt.

 

[SDakaGordie]

OMG Martinelli!

 

[zbag51]

Man, really wish i could watch this game! At least i can listen to Dave!

 

[CappyNU]

Yeah this one's not over yet.

 

[SmellyCat]

Yeah this one's not over yet.

They never are...

 

[PURPLECAT88]

Despite Hunger’s decent game, I want to see Matt or Keenan back in there.

 

[jensberg]

Despite Hunger’s decent game, I want to see Matt or Keenan back in there.

It's so hard to be a Northwestern fan we've led the whole game and played fantastic it just feels like Minnesota is going to make a Mega Run

 

[SimpsonElmwood]

Minnesota is not playing a 5, so Hunger matches up well.

 

[SmellyCat]

Best two-game run for NU all season. Keep it going against Iowa!

 

[TheC]

Really impressive stuff. Such toughness from our Cats!

 

[Hungry Jack]

KJ 7 assists and 8 points

 

[Davidgolds5]

Impressive effort and win. I was skeptical of the cats winning another game after the major injuries. Collins and the Cats have humbled me!

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

We had KJ, Clayton and Hunger out there for a period of time. Big Matt was glued to the bench at the end. The torches and pitchforks were ready to go if we screwed this one up. No worries, just expanded the lead.

This is going to implode the +/- report! Great effort and smart Coaching today.

 

[FeralFelidae]

Back-to-back road wins and it seems like things are clicking again for a strong finish to the season. I'm starting to feel good again that the 'Cats will make some form of post-season (Crown or NIT). Let's win at least two more and clinch a spot in the conference tourney, and then who knows, maybe we'll surprise some people. Things are coming together at the right time.

 

[1830sherman]

Wow. Two decisive conference road wins with this roster, after a season of a lot of heartbreak. Just gotta give major props to Collins and the players.

 

[SmellyCat]

KJ 7 assists and 8 points

And playing big minutes at the end and handling the press really well. Looked like a vet.

 

[jensberg]

Wow. Two decisive conference road wins with this roster, after a season of a lot of heartbreak. Just gotta give major props to Collins and the players.

Amazing considering we lost two of our top three players. Once again who knows how great our season could have been if not for the injuries

 

[Davidgolds5]

We have moved up to Kenpom #50. A lot of bubble teams surrounding us. If we win the next two home games, are we on the bubble?

 

[olshin]

We have moved up to Kenpom #50. A lot of bubble teams surrounding us. If we win the next two home games, are we on the bubble?

No .... but follow that up with a win at Maryland ......
and a couple in the Big Ten ...... and sure why not.

also, i guess it depends what you mean by bubble. i don't see us being one of the "Next 8" unless we also beat UMD

But really ... I'd like to beat Iowa first then worry about it.

 

[Secho99]

We have moved up to Kenpom #50. A lot of bubble teams surrounding us. If we win the next two home games, are we on the bubble?

It would crack the door open further. Realistically it will take winning the last 3 and at least 1 in the BTT. The bubble is soft, there’s an opportunity there but zero margin for error in the next 3.

 

[olshin]

Also, i feel like if we win the 2 home games, which includes Q1 UCLA, it would probably lock us for NIT, with the top 2 conference NET rankings that aren't NCAA teams getting automatic bids.

We're in that spot now as the 11th highest NET among conference teams (unless OSU AND Nebraska don't make it, but I think that's hard to believe given the bubble.) We'd have to beat Iowa (never easy) and I think a win over UCLA would be huge.

Question for the "elder" crowd --- is the UCLA game here the first time they've played us in the area since that legendary game at Chicago Stadium in the late 60s? If so, that's really cool.

 

[Catreporter]

Also, i feel like if we win the 2 home games, which includes Q1 UCLA, it would probably lock us for NIT, with the top 2 conference NET rankings that aren't NCAA teams getting automatic bids.

We're in that spot now as the 11th highest NET among conference teams (unless OSU AND Nebraska don't make it, but I think that's hard to believe given the bubble.) We'd have to beat Iowa (never easy) and I think a win over UCLA would be huge.

Question for the "elder" crowd --- is the UCLA game here the first time they've played us in the area since that legendary game at Chicago Stadium in the late 60s? If so, that's really cool.

Yes, I believe it is, but there was also a visit to McGaw by Johnny Wooden's team on Dec. 20, 1962 which I saw that gave a preview of their upcoming dominance. That team had no starter taller than 6-5 but they also had Keith Erickson, Gail Goodrich, Walt Hazard and Fred Slaughter. They beat the Cats 70-63 and went on to lose in an NCAA regional before winning the first of their NCAA titles with virtually the same team the following season. Then came Lou Alcindor, Bill Walton and the dominating rosters, but Wooden began his run with that group.

 

[GatoLouco]

at least 1 in the BTT.

Does 1 BTT win move the needle at all? I can see 3, or even 2 improving things. But 1, would that not be against a bad team, therefore really just going par for the course and not really improving anything? I am not versed at all in the subject matter!

 

[prez77]

It would crack the door open further. Realistically it will take winning the last 3 and at least 1 in the BTT. The bubble is soft, there’s an opportunity there but zero margin for error in the next 3.

Sounds like our tournament starts with Iowa