TheMont
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2015
- Messages
- 935
- Reaction score
- 41
Current record: 8-3
(6-1 at home)
NET ranking: 40
Key wins: Utah (NET 136), Georgia Tech (NET 100), DePaul (NET 81)
Key losses: lost by 2 points to both Michigan (NET 2) and Indiana (NET 20), lost by 19 to Fresno State on a neutral court
I went to Northwestern for undergrad and I follow them closely. They were bad last year, which was a big anomaly coming off their first NCAA tournament berth in 2017. Their stadium was being renovated, so they played all of their home games in All-State Arena, which is in a western suburb of Chicago (Evanston is a northern suburb of Chicago). It's about a 45 minute drive from campus to their alternate arena in light traffic. There was no student representation and really no atmosphere at all, except for the opponent's fans. Head coach Chris Collins admitted that this cost them "5 or 6 games" and it also cost them a lot of confidence.
The stadium renovation has been completed, so this will be a home game for NU. The stadium is VERY nice while still feeling intimate. The students won't be there (they normally are packed behind each basket), so it's unclear how strong the home court advantage will be. Northwestern is similar in quality to Creighton (slightly worse offensively, but better defensively)
Northwestern primarily relies on their senior leaders 1-2 punch:
Dererk Pardon, 6'8" C - 13.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg
Vic Law, 6'7" F - 18.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg
Both OU and Northwestern have been prone to slow starts this season and then they usually go on 2nd half runs. NU was down big to DePaul before going on a 25-0 (!) run. I'm expecting a low scoring 1st half, both teams to settle in and exchange runs in the 2nd half, with the Sooners pulling off a close win.
I am very excited for this game and will be attending with 42 Sooners! We will be representing loudly!
(6-1 at home)
NET ranking: 40
Key wins: Utah (NET 136), Georgia Tech (NET 100), DePaul (NET 81)
Key losses: lost by 2 points to both Michigan (NET 2) and Indiana (NET 20), lost by 19 to Fresno State on a neutral court
I went to Northwestern for undergrad and I follow them closely. They were bad last year, which was a big anomaly coming off their first NCAA tournament berth in 2017. Their stadium was being renovated, so they played all of their home games in All-State Arena, which is in a western suburb of Chicago (Evanston is a northern suburb of Chicago). It's about a 45 minute drive from campus to their alternate arena in light traffic. There was no student representation and really no atmosphere at all, except for the opponent's fans. Head coach Chris Collins admitted that this cost them "5 or 6 games" and it also cost them a lot of confidence.
The stadium renovation has been completed, so this will be a home game for NU. The stadium is VERY nice while still feeling intimate. The students won't be there (they normally are packed behind each basket), so it's unclear how strong the home court advantage will be. Northwestern is similar in quality to Creighton (slightly worse offensively, but better defensively)
Northwestern primarily relies on their senior leaders 1-2 punch:
Dererk Pardon, 6'8" C - 13.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg
Vic Law, 6'7" F - 18.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg
Both OU and Northwestern have been prone to slow starts this season and then they usually go on 2nd half runs. NU was down big to DePaul before going on a 25-0 (!) run. I'm expecting a low scoring 1st half, both teams to settle in and exchange runs in the 2nd half, with the Sooners pulling off a close win.
I am very excited for this game and will be attending with 42 Sooners! We will be representing loudly!
