Leaves have begun to fall, the weather has gotten chillier and, if you haven’t noticed yet, another season of men’s basketball is just a few days away.

After a 2023-24 season that saw them reach the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive season, all eyes are back on the Cardiac ’Cats. While the team has gone through some transformations since March, the real test will be how they'll manage to work with what they have now.

The farewell

Ah, yes, how to forget about Northwestern’s most prized possession: Boo Buie. The Albany, New York native left a mark that will be difficult to erase from a team that didn’t aim for much just a few years ago.

The numbers say it all. Buie became Northwestern’s all-time leading scorer with 2,187 points, averaging 19 points per game last season, and averaged about 82% in free throws across his five years at Northwestern. On top of that, he made 618 assists and 143 steals. Starting about 86% of all the games he ever played, Buie owned the court.

However, he wasn’t just numbers. Buie was an evident leader on and off the court for a Wildcat team that, for the first time in program history, made it to two consecutive NCAA Tournaments. He showed tenacity and fed off the fans’ support. As Buie’s presence at Northwestern could not last forever, the Wildcats are now on a mission to discover who their new main man, and point guard, will be.

Buie wasn’t the only player who left a big impression. Ryan Langborg, former graduate guard, contributed immensely to the team during his one-year stay. He scored a whopping 406 points, averaging 12.7 per game, and made 81 assists. A player head coach Chris Collins could trust since day one, he started and played in 32 out of 34 games. One thing to note was his incredible ability to show up when needed, such as in three-pointer opportunities. After Buie, Langborg provided the second most three-pointers last season (72). His absence will also be a role to fill this season.

One last dance

Despite departures, not all of the band has disbanded.

Injuries prevented graduate guard Ty Berry and graduate center Matthew Nicholson from ending last season with a bang. With Berry out since February and Nicholson just a few weeks before March Madness, they now have another shot, both returning for their fifth and final year with the Wildcats.

They will certainly be two fundamental players in the starting lineup with their experienced skill sets. Reasonably, Berry’s numbers weren’t as high last season, but he was always there to do whatever Collins asked from him, starting all 23 games he played. If he’s able to get back into his momentum, he will most likely reach his 1,000 point career mark.

Nicholson was crucial for the Wildcats' defense last year, recording a team-high 40 season blocks. Not only that, but his characteristic dunks were also favored by the Wildcats on many occasions, with his 7-foot-tall frame serving them well.

Fourth-year guard Brooks Barnhizer will certainly be another player hoping to make every game count this season. Probably his last year with the Wildcats, he will have to step up. He is already headed that way, leading the team with 255 rebounds and 61 steals last season. Not to mention he was also the second-highest scorer, with 497 points. As a clear powerhouse on the court, this will be the perfect moment for Barnhizer to take on a leadership role in the team.

The new faces

As Berry and Nicholson anticipate to return, the Wildcats have also made additions in their roster, hoping to boast a dominant team.

Let’s start with graduate guard Jalen Leach. Coming from Fairfield University, the Nyack, New York native made a big impression during his time with the Stags. Last season, he averaged 16.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Freely moving on the court, he tallied 59 steals and 95 assists. With an active role at Fairfield, Wildcat fans are hoping the team will benefit from Leach’s ability to drive forward and shoot.

Then there is graduate center Keenan Fitzmorris. Although he spent his first two years at Stanford University, he developed most of his playing action at Stony Brook University, during his third and fourth years of college. There, he scored 704 points and recorded 282 rebounds, 77 assists and 68 blocks. On top of that, he made 52% of field goals attempted. Another 7-foot player, Fitzmorris will be someone opponents will have to watch out for.

The shot clock winds down

With no more time left to waste, the Wildcats will begin this season with an exhibition game at home against Lewis on Oct. 30. Before anyone knows it, the student section will fill up and Welsh Ryan Arena will be the crowd attractor for the next few months.

Can the Wildcats continue to make program history, even without Buie? Will they dance for a third consecutive season? Whether or not they do, we are in for a ride.