When coming up with a spot to slide NW into, I took into account the scoring punch returning for each team.

Northwestern ranks high in the returning scorers category, only Purdue ranks higher. Only Purdue and Northwestern return at least three players who scored in double figures last season. Scoring isn’t exactly the staple of Big Ten basketball, so the returning firepower doesn’t necessarily mean a positive result.

Many Big Ten squads, the successful ones anyway, slow down the games and win them with defense and efficient half court offense. Wisconsin has been annoying college basketball nation with half court grinds and bully sessions for what seems like an eternity, but they win. Iowa had their run. Michigan State used to play mean defense. Back when Ohio State had Shaq, they stuck to the other team like glue with guys like Ron Lewis and Mike Conley. That team could score, but defense was their calling card, their ticket all the way to the championship game.

Sure, sure, now it’s different, Purdue is the team to beat, MSU is still in the discussion, Wisconsin will be there, Ohio State might be contenders, but after that?

After that, put Northwestern into the mix. The correlation of Northwestern’s incoming bigs and competing on the boards and limiting penetration will be essential, because, and I’ve not forgotten, the matchups with the have nots in the Big Ten often can turn into sub 60 point affairs quite easily. The poor teams might have talent issues, but playing hard is a trait that’s always displayed. So rebounding and ball control are vital, and that was precisely what Northwestern lacked. Princeton O depends on patience, opportunistic control and decison making. More possessions will, in turn, tire the defense, thus a positive rebound ratio is needed. Big guys will help.

If they can shore up the 10.8 rebounds/gm advantage held by their opponents last year, the added opportunities for top scorers Coble, Moore and Thompson in the Princeton O could mean a lot more celebrating in Welsh-Ryan Arena.

I see a top 6 finish for this team. The NIT could call for the first time since 1999.

Evan Eschmeyer was manning the middle then.

Post from: EveryJoe

Window of Opportunity

And please don’t tell me that these games don’t matter because they are in the “pre-season”.

They DO matter…

Last night, Division II school Findlay upset Ohio State 70-68. This is the same Ohio State squad that lost to Florida in last year’s NCAA title game. Yes, they lost Greg Oden, Mike Connelly Jr., and Daequan Cook from last year’s squad. But they were ranked just outside the top 25 and figured to contend for another Big 10 conference title.

Oops.

Last Saturday, another Division II school, Grand Valley State, beat Michigan State 85-82 in double overtime. The Spartans are ranked #8 in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25 rankings and were picked by many analysts as the favorite to win the Big 10 championship.

Double oops.

I don’t care that these games are considered “exhibitions”. To quote Herm Edwards, “You play to win the game”. Period.

The Buckeyes and Spartans had better turn things around quickly, or else they will get eaten alive in the Big 10 this year.

UPDATED: another stunner from college basketball Wednesday night as Gardner-Webb, who was picked to finish 8th in the Atlantic Sun Conference this year, went into Rupp Arena and smoked the Kentucky Wildcats 84-68.

Welcome to Lexington, Billy Gillespie. I hope you enjoy your stay in the Bluegrass State.  And it won’t be a very long stay if you let middle-of-the-pack Atlantic Sun teams come to town and take you out to the woodshed.

Somewhere in the Twin Cities, Tubby Smith is smiling…

Post from: EveryJoe

UPDATED: And this is why you play the games, take 3…

Motta’s yearly salary package was increased by nearly $500,000, and he received an additional year on his contract which now extends to 2016.

Note to Thad: you need to take Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr., and Daequan Cook out to dinner. Immediately. And pick up the tab.

And as soon as you are finished with dinner, you better hit the recruiting trail again. You have now raised the level of expectations in Columbus, and you have some big holes to fill.

Post from: EveryJoe

Hey everybody – drinks are on Thad!!!