Northwestern faces its first test of the season when Creighton comes to Allstate Arena tonight.
Creighton is a likely tournament team led by first-team All-Big East performer Marcus Foster, a guy who can really fill it up that scored 23 points in each of the Blue Jays first two games. Look for Vic Law to be assigned to the 6-foot-3 guard.
The keys for NU tonight:
Take care of the ball: I think the biggest concern with NU thus far has been turnovers. The Wildcats committed 15 against Loyola (Md.) and 17 against St. Peter’s, far above last season’s average of 10.6 per game. Their assists-to-turnover ratio is upside down.
Get more from the bench: NU got only seven points from the bench against St. Peter’s, five from Anthony Gaines. The Cats will likely be shorthanded again – Aaron Falzon is doubtful and Rapolas Ivanauskas has yet to play this season – but it would be nice to get a boost from Barret Benson and/or Jordan Ash to help Scottie Lindsey, Bryant McIntosh and the rest of the starters put the ball in the basket.
Stop penetration: St. Peter’s had some success getting to the rim against the Cats and Creighton has a guard-heavy lineup with multiple ballhandlers. The Blue Jays also like to shoot 3s with Khyri Thomas, Toby Hegner and freshman Mitchell Ballock, so NU needs to cut off driving lanes and prevent those kickouts to the perimeter.
NU should be able to outrebound Creighton.
One interesting note: NU media relations’ Nick Brilowski tweeted today that because of the Champions Classic last night in Chicago, 17 NBA scouts are expected at the game tonight. That’s a TON.
Creighton is a likely tournament team led by first-team All-Big East performer Marcus Foster, a guy who can really fill it up that scored 23 points in each of the Blue Jays first two games. Look for Vic Law to be assigned to the 6-foot-3 guard.
The keys for NU tonight:
Take care of the ball: I think the biggest concern with NU thus far has been turnovers. The Wildcats committed 15 against Loyola (Md.) and 17 against St. Peter’s, far above last season’s average of 10.6 per game. Their assists-to-turnover ratio is upside down.
Get more from the bench: NU got only seven points from the bench against St. Peter’s, five from Anthony Gaines. The Cats will likely be shorthanded again – Aaron Falzon is doubtful and Rapolas Ivanauskas has yet to play this season – but it would be nice to get a boost from Barret Benson and/or Jordan Ash to help Scottie Lindsey, Bryant McIntosh and the rest of the starters put the ball in the basket.
Stop penetration: St. Peter’s had some success getting to the rim against the Cats and Creighton has a guard-heavy lineup with multiple ballhandlers. The Blue Jays also like to shoot 3s with Khyri Thomas, Toby Hegner and freshman Mitchell Ballock, so NU needs to cut off driving lanes and prevent those kickouts to the perimeter.
NU should be able to outrebound Creighton.
One interesting note: NU media relations’ Nick Brilowski tweeted today that because of the Champions Classic last night in Chicago, 17 NBA scouts are expected at the game tonight. That’s a TON.
