Game Day Essentials: Game #16 vs Northwestern

Nothwestern Info

Head Coach: Chris Collins
Location: Evansville, IL
Conference: B1G
Nickname: Wildcats

Mascot: Willie the Wildcat
Last time out: Beat Brown
Typical Rotation Depth: 9
Line: NW by 8.5

Arena: Welsh-Ryan Arena is undergoing a complete reconstruction and all games are being played 45 minutes away from campus at All-State Arena in Rose

Tempo: Slow

Defense: Man

Style: High assist % / High 3pa%

4 Factors Good: Doesn't turn the ball over, protect the defensive boards
4 Factors Bad: Putting teams on the line

Most Frequent Lineups over the last 5 games

Nebraska

Northestern

Here is the most likely starting lineup with Bryant McIntotsh probably out for this game.  Ash had been starting for the injured Vic Law and it looks like Collins is comfortable playing him at the point.  Ash hasn't shown a lot of scoring punch nor setting up his teammates; his biggest attribute is not turning over the ball. Isiah Brown will also be in the mix and provides a bit more scoring punch though is turnover prone. Freshman Anthony Gaines should also see minutes

Players to watch: Dererk Pardon

Pardon famously played his first full game against Nebraska two years ago dropping a still career high 28 points. He followed that up last year with a 22 rebound game and Pardon is 4-0 vs Nebraska.

The Skinny

It's not quite the hangover that Nebraska had coming off their tournament but this Northwestern team the brought most everyone back hasn't been quite as good.  While the schedule has been tougher, Northwestern's defense has been off and this year's close games have turned into a few losses. In Northwestern's first game without McIntosh since 2014 in their temporary home where there should be little crowd factor, Nebraska has a real chance to show themselves as the team we all hope they are.

It's tempting to look at what Northwestern is giving up from 3 and attack from outside but what really stands out is the amount that Northwestern is putting teams on the line, especially if McIntosh isn't playing. Defensively Northwestern had been a problem with their 3pt shooting but the Huskers have sold out stopping the 3 at the expense up giving up some easy buckets inside. How much double teaming and switching will Nebraska do against a team that will eat you alive with passes to open players? Who is capable of guarding Pardon 1-on-1?

Nebraska catches a sleeping Northwestern tonight

Prediction: Nebraska 74 - Northwestern 70