NU's quest for 1st NCAA bid begins in earnest

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Wildcats probably need at least .500 record in Big Ten, and face big challenge in opener at Purdue


So what will take?

Does Northwestern have to go 10-8 in Big Ten play? Or 9-9 with two victories in the conference tournament? How about nine victories, three hours of prayer and one bribe for the NCAA Selection Committee?

"I have no idea," point guard Juice Thompson said. "I'm just hoping we can be better than 9-9 ? 10 wins or more. I definitely think that going above .500 in the conference would be pretty good."

The Wildcats went 8-10 two years ago and had visions of a NCAA tournament run last season after starting 5-6. Two losses to Penn State left them on the bubble ? for the NIT.


This year?

RealTimeRpi.com projects Northwestern to go 11-7 in the Big Ten and 21-8 overall. Pack your bags.

KenPom.com projects 8-10 and 18-11 overall. Break out the Kleenex.

ESPN.com bracketologist Joe Lunardi predicts that a bid will come down to the wire, writing of NU's "epic quest" to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history: "Our up-to-the-minute S-curve has them at No. 69 ? for a 68-team field. Sorry, (Michael) Wilbon. Sorry, Greenie (Mike Greenberg). It's going to be that kind of year. Again."

The quest continues in their Big Ten opener Friday as the 9-1 Wildcats visit a Purdue team that throttled Michigan 80-57 in the conference opener for both teams. The 12th-ranked Boilermakers have won seven straight games and have not allowed more than 58 points during that stretch.

"No tricks," NU coach Bill Carmody said. "They play a hard man-to-man defense and deny passes. And a lot of the turnovers they force lead to layups and dunks."

KenPom.com rates Purdue as the nation's third most efficient defense, behind Ohio State and Kansas, when field goal percentage, turnovers, offensive rebounds and free throws allowed are taken into account.

Northwestern had a terrible time with its defense last week against St. John's at Madison Square Garden. The Red Storm shot 16-for-20 in the second half as their athletic big men converted layups time and again against Luka Mirkovic and Davide Curletti.

"You know how in football they say you have to get in the gaps?" Carmody asked. "We weren't playing (the 1-3-1) zone the way we should. It's really a technique thing and certainly correctable."

 

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NU back at full strength for opener vs. Purdue


Forward John Shurna should be good to go for Northwestern?s Big Ten opener today at Purdue after spraining his left ankle last week.

A team representative said Shurna practiced Tuesday and Wednesday and participated in a shootaround Wednesday in West Lafayette, Ind. Shurna, the Wildcats? and the Big Ten?s leading scorer at 23.3 points per game, might not be 100 percent, but that shouldn?t stop him from starting.

Shurna, who is eighth in Division I in scoring, went down with the ankle sprain in the second half of the Wildcats? 70-47 victory Dec. 23 against Mount St. Mary?s at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Having Shurna back will be a huge boost for the Wildcats, who will face the No. 12 Boilermakers at 11 a.m. today at Mackey Arena (ESPN2, 720-AM). Purdue (12-1, 1-0) opened the Big Ten season Monday with an 80-57 victory at Michigan.

This game will feature high scoring duos. For the Wildcats, Shurna and sophomore Drew Crawford have a combined average of 38.8 ppg, which ranks them fifth in the nation. Crawford is the Wildcats? second leading scorer at 15.5.

Not to be outdone, Purdue?s tandem of JaJuan Johnson (20 ppg) and E?Twaun Moore (19.5) are third *nationally with a 39.5 average.

?They come at you and play man-to-man,? Wildcats coach Bill *Carmody said. ?They play hard and are well-coached, tough kids, a veteran team. They?re a very good team all around.?

NU split its two meetings with the Boilermakers last season. The Wildcats beat Purdue during the regular season in Evanston but lost to Purdue during the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten tournament.

What could be key for NU is its inside defense, something Carmody has stressed all season. It might hinge on the play of 6-11 center Luka Mirkovic (7.4 rebounds per game).

?The most important thing is to keep our focus and be ready to go,? Mirkovic said. ?We?re really excited to play, and we like playing with each other.?

The Wildcats are off to a 9-1 start. NU?s only loss was a 85-69 decision against St. John?s in New York on Dec. 21.

 

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Big Ten opener prepares Purdue for Wildcats' offense


With its Princeton-style offense, which bases its success on backdoor cuts to the basket, Northwestern creates defensive problems for almost every team on its schedule.

When the once-beaten Wildcats play No. 12 Purdue this afternoon in Mackey Arena, a scheduling quirk may help the Boilermakers.

On Tuesday, Purdue began Big Ten Conference play at Michigan, which is the only other team in the league that features some of the Princeton-like tendencies.

The Boilermakers defeated Michigan 80-57.



Purdue starting sophomore forward DJ Byrd said that while playing Northwestern always is difficult, any Big Ten team would benefit if it has the opportunity to play Michigan and Northwestern back-to-back.

"Michigan sort of runs the same thing," Byrd said Thursday. "But Northwestern does something really unique. It's something that makes us change some of our methods and still be able to defend.

"With a couple of days of practice, I think we will be all right. It's still possible to make mistakes, because they are so good at what they do."

Junior starting guard Ryne Smith said getting ready to play Northwestern can be a nightmare.

"It's a tough prep," Smith said. "The practices leading up to that game are more mental than anything. They obviously are a well-coached team. They definitely have some talent this year.

"We have to stay on edge, know the scouting report and know who we are guarding. You can't mess up, or they will exploit you."

Especially Big Ten scoring leader John Shurna, the 6-foot-8 forward who is averaging 23.3 points while shooting 62.3 percent from 3-point range.

Smith points out that the only team to beat Purdue -- the Richmond Spiders -- also feature Princeton-like offensive rules.

"We're not exactly used to it yet, but we have seen it before," Smith said of Northwestern's offense. "That is going to help us.

"(The scheduling) isn't too bad, but we can't overlook anybody. We definitely will be prepared."




On their way

Purdue leading scorer JaJuan Johnson said a 23-point road victory to begin Big Ten play is exactly what the Boilermakers needed.

Johnson and Co. began the 2009-2010 Big Ten season with a victory at Iowa and went on to share the league regular-season championship with Ohio State and Michigan State.

"It's one step closer to our goal of winning a Big Ten championship," Johnson said of winning in Crisler Arena. "Any time you get a road win in the Big Ten, it's huge."

 

[IE]

think the tempo is set for a final of high 20's...

137 seems shade high and will play the

under 137 -110 in this one.

good luck today.