It is amazing how things can change in such a short amount of time.
Around this time last year, Northwestern men’s basketball had five Big Ten wins and women’s basketball had two Big Ten wins. Fast forward a year and men’s basketball has only savored two Big Ten wins, while women’s basketball still awaits its first conference victory.
To make matters worse, both teams sit in the bottom third of the Big Ten table.
The general consensus here is that with more than half of Big Ten matches left to play, both Wildcat teams seem to be in trouble. Although 15 out of 18 teams qualify to the Big Ten Tournament this year, turning things around is of urgent need.
Crucial Big Ten games so far
Like any other Big Ten season for the Wildcats, there’s been a bit of everything in this one. Overtime duels, away game scares and breathtaking final minute deciders.
Compared to its current form, men’s basketball was in better shape against then No. 19 Illinois on Dec. 6. In a thrilling overtime win, the Wildcats reigned against the Fighting Illini once again and proved their ability to compete against ranked opponents, especially when given home advantage. This Big Ten classic hinted at the type of tight games the Wildcats would be facing for Big Ten contention. With players scoring in double digits and capitalizing on fouls, getting this momentum back is important moving forward.
Although men’s basketball is known for ruining Purdue’s party – two consecutive times the last two seasons – visiting West Lafayette takes a toll on a Wildcat team whose most losses this season have been in away and neutral settings. When the Wildcats visited Purdue in January 2024, a tight loss in overtime was not as disappointing, but their 18-point loss on Jan. 5 left many questioning how much of that team still remained. With a few away games still left, knowing how to handle the pressure is the first step in preventing a large losing deficit.
For women’s basketball, tight games have characterized their season performance.
There were signs of dominance when they faced then No. 23 Michigan on Dec. 8, getting a preview of their Big Ten competition. Although the Wildcats came close, and even led at some point, the Wolverines had other plans and snatched what could have been a crucial win. The Wildcats weren’t clear favorites for this game, but their ability to put up a fight and keep the Wolverines on their feet is something they need to show more against other powerhouses.
Another close game was against Indiana on Jan. 8, where nothing was decided until the last few seconds. The Wildcats kept a close score throughout all four quarters, and although their most crucial points came late in the final quarter, the Hoosiers managed to leave Evanston without any damage. Only losing by four points, this was another instance where the Wildcats came close to their first Big Ten season win.
Future foes
With the expansion of the Big Ten conference this season, the Wildcats will soon get a taste of the action new arrivals have been showcasing. Between old rivals and new challengers, here are a few tough games that could make them stumble into the abyss even more if they do not watch their backs.
Men’s Basketball: Oregon and UCLA
No. 15 Oregon has been having fun in its first season in the Big Ten, only losing three games so far. Nate Bittle, a fourth-year center who spent most of last season out, has been the Ducks’ star player. Averaging 13.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, he is leading a team that had been on a nine game undefeated streak before UCLA, their first loss, snapped it. The Wildcats face Oregon in an away game, so won’t be easy for them.
Adding UCLA into the equation, their performance wouldn’t be praised with flying colors just yet, but they sure have had it better than the Wildcats. A nine game winning streak in the first half of the season doesn’t look bad on their resume, while the Wildcats have only kept a winning streak of four. If the Wildcats were in better shape, one could call this a close game, especially for Senior Night in Evanston, but only time will tell once March comes along.
Women’s Basketball: USC and Maryland
With the postponement of their game against No. 4 USC, the Wildcats will have a bit more time to analyze the Trojans. They have enough material to do so. A game high of 124 points in early November makes them a dominating team right off the bat. With the coveted second-year guard JuJu Watkins, who is the Big Ten’s current top scorer, it’s enough to make the Wildcats tremble. Averaging 24.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, Watkins has become USC’s backbone. We’ll have to see what she’ll have in store for the Wildcats and how they will attempt to defend.
No. 8 Maryland is one of the last teams Northwestern faces. Compared to the previous season, the Terrapins have gone full force, only losing two games thus far. With stellar numbers in rebounds and three-pointer percentage, they’re a team that can easily defeat anyone on the court. A game high of 107 points against two different opponents is what makes them a potent and hungry team this season. The Wildcats are lucky to face them on home ground and not away, but they’ll have to find a way to stop a team that averages more than 80 points per game.
What needs to get fixed
To keep things short and sweet, if both Wildcat teams are looking for fast improvements they have to look into two things: the offensive line and close range shooting.
Men’s basketball’s first season without Boo Buie has been tougher than thought, without a guard that can lead the team on and off the court. Third-year forward Nick Martinelli has been an unexpected hero this season and fourth-year guard Brooks Barnhizer has gotten back in shape after missing out on the team’s first four games, but what is missing in head coach Chris Collins’ rotations? The team is rebounding and stealing, but sometimes it’s not enough when points are not made from these plays. Reinforcing the offensive line, with strong defense, is much-needed.
Women’s basketball, on the other hand, could use more reinforcement in close range shooting. Much of the Wildcats’ missed points have come from missed layups and, especially, missed three-pointers. Compared to their opponents, the Wildcats are underperforming in three-pointers – just .286 scoring accuracy. Second-year guard Casey Harter leads the team in made three-pointers (21 out of 51), making her fundamental. Finding effective open spaces and fast breaks for players like her can be key in their upcoming matches.
The bottom line is things are easier said than done, but both Wildcat teams know they don’t have much time left. The clock is ticking, with less than two months and counting left for the Big Ten Tournament.
