Man....Northwestern.

[hal9000]

Gets third road win in a row with win at Minnesota, 5-5 conference .  These guys definitely aren't going to be a gimme no matter where we play them. 

[throwback]

They're really good at ugly-ing up the game, yet they have enough guys who can go one on one - Crawford, Demps, even Cobb - that they can score just enough late in the shot clock. And they're doing it without Sobelewski (sp?). Still not sure why Minnesota didn't really crank up the pressure today, but NW is either the luckiest bad team in the league or the worst looking good team in the league. Not sure which. Three straight road wins is impressive though, no matter how ugly they've been.

 

If the BIG tourney started tomorrow, NW would have a first-round bye. 

 

The more they win now, the better it'll be for us since we get to beat them twice this year. 

[HB]

And someone on here said just this week, with a high degree of certainty, that Northwestern was "easily" the worst team in the league. Actually, NO.

[jdostal]

They're top 10 in adjusted defense and in the 300s in adjusted offense (kenpom).  Just crazy.

[hskr4life]

There is no way we get blown out the rest of the year.

[49r]

And someone on here said just this week, with a high degree of certainty, that Northwestern was "easily" the worst team in the league. Actually, NO.

 

To borrow from "Coming To America".  That team's good!

 

[hhcmatt]

And someone on here said just this week, with a high degree of certainty, that Northwestern was "easily" the worst team in the league. Actually, NO.

 

Easily the best worst team in the B1G

[AuroranHusker]

 

And someone on here said just this week, with a high degree of certainty, that Northwestern was "easily" the worst team in the league. Actually, NO.

 

Easily the best worst team in the B1G

 

 

Or, another way to look at it: Chris Collins' squad is the worst good team in the B1G... either way, it's noteworthy that NW closes out games fairly well on the road!

 

Nebrasketball players could learn a lot by watching the Wildcats' poise in the waning moments.

[royalfan]

And someone on here said just this week, with a high degree of certainty, that Northwestern was "easily" the worst team in the league. Actually, NO.

 

Yep, and Vegas agrees. Not close.   No team I would rather play if we could choose a team to play and have to win.  It is smoke and mirrors but a hell of a win nonetheless. 

[HB]

It's interesting that they can do the smoke and mirrors thing so many times....

[cozrulz]

 

And someone on here said just this week, with a high degree of certainty, that Northwestern was "easily" the worst team in the league. Actually, NO.

 

Yep, and Vegas agrees. Not close.   No team I would rather play if we could choose a team to play and have to win.  It is smoke and mirrors but a hell of a win nonetheless. 

 

 

If that is the case what does that make Nebraska's wins?

 

The truth is the Big 10 is probably more down than people realize.  Outside of Michigan and Michigan State I haven't seen a whole lot.  The Big 10 is probably the 3rd or 4th best conference.

[HuskerFever]

 

 

And someone on here said just this week, with a high degree of certainty, that Northwestern was "easily" the worst team in the league. Actually, NO.

 

Yep, and Vegas agrees. Not close.   No team I would rather play if we could choose a team to play and have to win.  It is smoke and mirrors but a hell of a win nonetheless. 

 

 

If that is the case what does that make Nebraska's wins?

 

The truth is the Big 10 is probably more down than people realize.  Outside of Michigan and Michigan State I haven't seen a whole lot.  The Big 10 is probably the 3rd or 4th best conference.

 

 

5 of the top 6 in the conference are ranked. That's not anything that could be taken lightly.

[royalfan]

It's interesting that they can do the smoke and mirrors thing so many times....

It really is interesting.  Not sure I have ever seen anything quite like it.  Team is 5-5 and outscored by a mind boggling 90 points in league play.  Bad club that is defying any sort of logic. 

[royalfan]

 

 

And someone on here said just this week, with a high degree of certainty, that Northwestern was "easily" the worst team in the league. Actually, NO.

 

Yep, and Vegas agrees. Not close.   No team I would rather play if we could choose a team to play and have to win.  It is smoke and mirrors but a hell of a win nonetheless. 

 

 

If that is the case what does that make Nebraska's wins?

 

The truth is the Big 10 is probably more down than people realize.  Outside of Michigan and Michigan State I haven't seen a whole lot.  The Big 10 is probably the 3rd or 4th best conference.

 

Not understanding your question exactly, but given that Nebraska is regarded to be a hell of a lot better than NW and we were favored in the last couple, it is not even a remotely sensible comparison. 

 

Perhaps you are one of the people that do not prefer to be proactive but reactive?  If so, then you probably would think NW is good and would be badly mistaken.   That is the only reason I could see you asking such a question. 

[royalfan]

NW is 5-5, outscored by 90 in the league and may not be favored in a single home game.  That is flat out crazy.  They have a week to digest and it is likely to be a hostile building we will be walking into next Saturday.  We are going to have to be sharp on offense as they do have sensational defense rotations. 

[Cazzie22]

Michigan St. losing to Georgetown today did B1G no favors.  I'm impressed that Northwestern has totally changed their style of play during the season and have become a very solid team in conference play.  

[HB]

3 road wins. THREE.

And those aren't easy to come by. Ask every team that played in PBA this year. And Iowa tonight had all it could handle at Illinois.

[royalfan]

Yeah and not at the easiest of locations either.   I still don't think they are very good, but that is an amazing accomplishment.  They do have a game that can go on the road I suppose with slow pace and good defense.  But incredible nonetheless. 

[TomEadesSucks]

I wonder how much teams are taking NW for granted. They should know better by now though. Them seem similar to Doc's better teams, play tough half court D and keep games close. I don't think they can hang with the more athletic teams in the league that can score, though.

[royalfan]

I wonder how much teams are taking NW for granted. They should know better by now though. Them seem similar to Doc's better teams, play tough half court D and keep games close. I don't think they can hang with the more athletic teams in the league that can score, though.

I think that has certainly happened.  I don't expect it to anymore though.  But they can frustrate the hell out of teams that are not mentally tough.  And they can frustrate the hell out of an opposing crowd as well.  But you play well, you can handle them easily.  I am glad they are doing well since we play them twice. 

[Noah121]

I wonder how much teams are taking NW for granted. They should know better by now though. Them seem similar to Doc's better teams, play tough half court D and keep games close. I don't think they can hang with the more athletic teams in the league that can score, though.

That's a very interesting analogy.  Obviously, I've got first-hand experience with how the 'Cats have been playing, and they play relentless defense (although did blow a 10-point first-half lead yesterday).  

 

In some sense, the emphasis on hard-nosed defense may be more of an equalizer against talent, as on the Northwestern forums, it's been stated that defense is more of a mental game than a physical game.

 

And indeed, Northwestern has been blasted by Wisconsin at home, Iowa in both places, and Michigan.  The 14-point loss to Michigan State wasn't as lopsided as the score indicated, and that was after the three blowouts, the injury to Sobolewski, and the team's will to change their identity.  (Frankly, prior to the Illinois game, the 'Cats didn't seem to have an identity.)

 

P.S. Might I get to see any of you in Evanston on Saturday?

[49r]

They're up to 109 in the KenPom rankings today.  8 spots behind Purdue.

 

They aren't a team you can count on beating at home, let alone in Evanston any more.