Jan. 12, 2001
GAME 16
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL (7-8, 0-3)
vs. Penn State (10-3, 1-2)
DATE/TIME: January 13, 2001/8 p.m. Eastern
SITE: Bryce-Jordan Center (State College, Pa.)
capacity: 15,261
TV: None
RADIO: WGN (720 AM)
Head coach Bill Carmody is finding out about life in the Big Ten, and the lesson that has become most prominent: there are few breathers.
On Wednesday, the Wildcats found themselves in East Lansing for a meeting with a Michigan State team coming off its first loss of the 2000-01 campaign. NU hung around for much of the first half, but the third-ranked Spartans used a 16-3 run to end the first half up, 41-24, and gradually built on that advantage throughout the second half en route to an 84-53 victory.
So tonight the Wildcats find themselves playing a Penn State team that earned its first Big Ten victory of the campaign Wednesday against Ohio State -- which beat Northwestern, 73-56, last week -- and boasts a 10-3 overall record. After that, Northwestern heads home to face an Illinois team ranked in the Top 10 nationally, then it's off to West Lafayette to play a Purdue team that already defeated the Wildcats once this season, 69-61. The next home game after Illinois? Michigan State, which comes to Welsh-Ryan Arena on January 24.
Michigan State used a 46-17 advantage in rebounding Wednesday night in its win. For Northwestern, Winston Blake was the only player in double figures with 13 points, and he hit four more 3-pointers to give him 44 for the season thus far. Aaron Jennings, who did not have a double-figure scoring game prior to Big Ten play, had nine points vs. MSU. Previously, he had 12 points at Ohio State and 15 against Purdue. Tavaras Hardy, who has played very well in the last month for the Wildcats, had eight points, a team-high six rebounds and four assists.
THE FUN FACT
Tonight's game features the top two 3-point shooters in the Big Ten. Penn State's Joe Crispin has hit 50 treys in 13 games, a 3.85 average, while NU's Winston Blake has knocked down 44 in 15 games, an average of 2.93 per game. They lead the teams that are first (PSU, 8.54) and second (NU, 7.27) in the Big Ten in treys made per game.
HEAD COACH BILL CARMODY
Bill Carmody is going for his 100th win as a head coach tonight. With a Wildcat win he will get it in his 133rd game, a mark only 30 coaches in NCAA Division 1 history have beaten.
Carmody is in his first season at Northwestern after spending 18 years at Princeton University, the last four as head coach of the Tigers. While at the helm, Carmody guided the Tigers to an overall record of 92-25 (.786), an Ivy League mark of 50-6 (.893) and four postseason appearances. During his first season as head coach (1996-97), Carmody led the Tigers to a 24-4 record, the third-best first year mark for a Division I head coach in 30 years. Carmody followed that up with an even better sophomore campaign, when he directed Princeton to a 27-2 record, a Top 10 national ranking and the second round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament.
Carmody graduated from Union College (Schenectady, N.Y.) in 1975. A basketball standout, he led Union to a 59-11 record in three seasons as a starter. During his senior year, he captained his team and was named first-team All-ECAC as well as the school's Most Outstanding Athlete. Upon graduation, Carmody served as the head coach of Fulton-Montgomery Community College in New York, leading the team to a 17-10 record and a conference title. He returned to Union the following year as an assistant coach before heading to Princeton to be an assistant under the legendary Pete Carril in 1982.
THE SERIES WITH PENN STATE
Tonight's game marks the 19th meeting between the Wildcats and the Nittany Lions, with PSU holding a 13-5 advantage to date. Penn State won both matchups last year, taking an 82-49 decision at Welsh-Ryan Arena (1/13) and following it up with a 73-64 win here at the Bryce Jordan Center (2/16). These two teams will meet again on Wednesday, February 21, in Evanston. Tipoff time for that game is set for 7 p.m. central from NU's Welsh-Ryan Arena.
YOUTH SHALL BE SERVED
For the second year in a row, Northwestern boasts a roster with nary a senior to be found. In fact, the 12-player roster has just two juniors -- Collier Drayton and Tavaras Hardy -- to go with five sophomores and five freshmen. According to Stats, Inc., the Wildcats entered the week leading the nation in minutes played by freshmen and sophomores at 86.5 percent.
Do not assume it is an inexperienced group, though. Last year, the Wildcats led the nation in minutes played by freshmen and sophomores at a staggering 99.9 percent.
Another Stats, Inc., gem: NU is seventh nationally in terms of experience based on eligibility and minutes played (1.000 for freshmen, 4.000 for seniors). NU's average is 1.892.
GOTTA SHOOT 'EM TO MAKE 'EM
In the win against Evansville at the San Juan Shootout, NU tied a school record by making 14 three-point baskets. The Wildcats also broke the school mark with 31 attempts -- the previous mark of 30 was done twice, including the season-opening loss to Arkansas-Little Rock.
According to Stats, Inc., the Wildcats entered the week 12th in the nation with 297 of its 715 field-goal attempts this season coming from beyond the arc (41.5 percent). In addition, NU is second in the Big Ten's overall stats behind Penn State with an average of 7.27 treys made per game.
DEE-FENSE!
Only two teams -- Ohio State (73) and Michigan State (84) -- have reached the 70-point mark against Northwestern this season. Currently, the Wildcats are third in the Big Ten allowing 59.5 points per game, behind Wisconsin (56.6) and Ohio State (59.3).
TAKING MORE THAN THEY GIVE
Against Evansville on December 22, the Wildcats committed just seven turnovers, the lowest by an NU team since 11/26/97, when they had six in a 71-51 win over Sam Houston State. In Big Ten action, Northwestern had just 10 turnovers against both Ohio State and Michigan State, the fewest in a Big Ten game since the 'Cats had eight against Penn State on 3/4/99. For the season, the Wildcats have a +0.80 turnover-per-game margin over their opponents.
SHARE THE WEALTH
Another staple among Coach Carmody's teams is how many baskets come directly off a pass. Last Saturday, for instance, the Wildcats had 15 assists on 17 field goals, while on Wednesday vs. Michigan State 13 of NU's 16 field goals came directly off a pass. Prior to that, NU had 19 assists on 21 field goals against Vermont, and 25 assists on 28 field goals against Mississippi Valley State. In the win against USC on December 27, NU recorded 23 assists on their 28 buckets.
A PAIR OF THIEVES
Northwestern has two players among the Big Ten Conference steal leaders. Collier Drayton and Jitim Young each have 21, an average of 1.40 per game which is 10th in the conference.
BOMBS AWAY
Sophomore guard Winston Blake has hit 44 three-pointers already this season, more than double what he had for all of last year (17). That puts him second among Big Ten players in total treys this season, behind only Penn State's Joe Crispin (50). Blake had five in back-to-back games against Mississippi Valley State and La Salle, and has knocked down four against St. Peter's, Evansville, Ohio State and Michigan State.
`T' -- AS IN TREMENDOUS
Junior center Tavaras Hardy was named to the all-tournament team at the San Juan (P.R.) Shootout from December 20-22, scoring 42 points and snaring 16 boards as the Wildcats went 2-1 and took fifth place. He led all scorers with 18 points -- all in the first half -- against Kent State, and followed that up with a 16-point performance in NU's win over Iona. He went 8-of-9 from the field in the KSU game, then 8-of-9 from the foul line vs. the Gaels.
One week later, Hardy shared Big Ten Player of the Week honors with Michigan State's Charlie Bell. Hardy had 20 points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots and two steals as NU defeated No. 16 USC, 63-61, on December 27. It was Northwestern's first win over a ranked opponent since a 54-50 win over No. 14 Purdue on January 27, 1999.
PROFILES ON THE EIGHT REGULARS IN NORTHWESTERN'S ROTATION
#3 -- WINSTON BLAKE
Soph. F/G, Plano, Texas/Plano Senior
Starter in all 15 games ... Leads team with 12.7 points per game (15.7 in Big Ten), and has led team in scoring in six games ... Double-figure scorer in 11 of 15 games so far ... Second in the Big Ten in overall 3-point field goals made (44) and 3-pointers per game (2.93) ... Had five 3-pointers in back-to-back games vs. Mississippi Valley State (12/2) and La Salle (12/10) ... Had four 3-pointers against St. Peter's (12/13), Evansville (12/22), Ohio State (1/3) and Michigan State (1/10) ... Has three or more 3-pointers in nine games this season ... Tied for second on the team averaging 32.5 minutes per game ... Third on the team with 18 steals ... Led team with 13 points and had four 3-pointers vs. Michigan State (1/10) ... Had 22 points to lead all scorers at Ohio State (1/3) ... Led team with 16 points and had four 3-pointers vs. Evansville (12/22) ... Led team with 15 points, all on treys, at La Salle (12/10) ... Also led team in scoring with 15 points against both Maryland-Eastern Shore (11/22) and Vermont (11/25).
#5 -- BEN JOHNSON
Soph. G/F, Minneapolis, Minn./De La Salle
Starter in all 15 games ... Second on the team in scoring, averaging 9.9 ppg, and has led team in scoring in three games ... Double-figure scorer in seven games, including three of last six ... Second on the team with 31 assists ... Tied for third on the team with 3.7 rebounds per game ... Led team with eight rebounds against Vermont (11/25) and Evansville (12/22), and with seven against La Salle (12/10) ... Third on the team in minutes played, averaging 30.7 ... Led team in scoring with 16 points in season opener against Arkansas-Little Rock (11/18) ... Led team with 14 points at Clemson in ACC/Big Ten Challenge (11/28) ... Led team with 22 points, season high among all Wildcats, against St. Peter's ... Had 13 points and established career high with eight assists and committed just one turnover in win over No. 16 USC, playing all 40 minutes.
#25 -- JITIM YOUNG
Fr. G, Chicago, Ill./Gordon Tech
Starter in all 15 games ... Fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 8.3 ppg ... Second on the team with 3.9 rebounds per game ... Tied for the team lead with 21 steals ... Tied for 10th in the Big Ten in steals per game (1.40) ... Third on the team with 30 assists ... Fourth on the team in minutes played, averaging 27.8 ... Had 10 points against Purdue (1/6) ... Led team with 21 points, going 7-of-10 from the field, and added seven rebounds, five assists and three steals vs. Mississippi Valley State (12/2) ... Had 11 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals vs. St. Peter's (12/13) ... Led team in rebounding with seven vs. Arkansas-Little Rock (11/18), seven vs. Mississippi Valley State (12/2), six vs. St. Peter's (12/13) and six vs. Iona (12/21).
#30 -- JASON BURKE
Soph. F, Plano, Texas/Plano East
Played in 13 of 15 games ... Scored seven points (3-3 FG) in 13 minutes vs. Mississippi Valley State (12/2) ... Scored six points, all from the free-throw line, and added three assists vs. St. Peter's (12/13) ... Had back-to-back five-point games against Pepperdine (12/16) and Kent State (12/20) ... Led team with five rebounds and added three assists in win over No. 16 USC (12/27).
#32 -- COLLIER DRAYTON
Jr. G, Lyons, N.Y./Lyons
Played in all 15 games, starting all but the season opener ... Leads team with 52 assists, tied for team lead with 21 steals ... Leads team with 34.1 minutes played per game ... Tied for 10th in the Big Ten in steals per game (1.40) and 13th in the Big Ten in assists per game (3.47) ... Scored nine points, added four rebounds and three assists on a severely sprained ankle vs. Purdue (1/6) ... Established new career highs with 13 points and four 3-pointers at Pepperdine (12/16) ... Matched those totals against Evansville (12/22) ... Scored nine points in wins over Iona (12/21) and USC (12/27) ... Had career-high eight assists against three turnovers against Mississippi Valley State (12/2).
#33 - TAVARAS HARDY
Jr. C, Joliet, Ill./Providence
Starter in all 15 games ... Third on the team in scoring with 9.3 ppg (10.0 in Big Ten) ... Averaging 12.8 ppg in last eight outings, with six double-figure games ... Leads team in rebounding with 5.8 boards per game (6.0 in Big Ten), and also leads team with 42 FT made ... Had 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks against Purdue (1/6) ... Named Big Ten Co-Player of the Week after 20-point outing vs. USC (12/27) ... Named to San Juan (P.R.) Shootout All-Tournament Team ... Began tournament with 18 first-half points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field vs. Kent State (12/20), then scored 16 and went 8-of-9 from the foul line in a win over Iona (12/21) before adding eight more in a win over Evansville (12/22) ... Also totaled 16 rebounds in the three games and had four blocked shots against Kent State ... Had only Wildcat double-double to date with 10 points and a career-high 14 rebounds at Pepperdine (12/16) ... Has led team in rebounding five times this season.
#44 -- ED McCANTS
Fr. G, Marion, Ohio/Marion Catholic
Played in all 15 games ... Averaging 5.6 points and 17.3 minutes per game off the bench ... Had 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting from 3-point land and added five rebounds and two assists in 19 minutes vs. Vermont (11/25) ... Had 11 points, three rebounds and three steals vs. Kent State (12/20) ... Followed that up with 11 points and five boards vs. Iona (12/21) and 10 points and three boards vs. Evansville (12/22) ... Snared season-high seven rebounds in homecoming game at Ohio State (1/3).
#55 -- AARON JENNINGS
Soph. C, Atkins, Iowa/Benton Community
Played in all 15 games, starting the season opener against Arkansas-Little Rock ... Averaging 12.0 ppg in three Big Ten games ... Led NU with 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots vs. Purdue (1/6) ... Previous season-high was 12 points, all in the second half, against Ohio State (1/3) ... Also added three rebounds and three steals vs. OSU ... Had nine points, including two 3-pointers, along with three rebounds and two blocked shots at Michigan State (1/10) ... Had nine points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals against St. Peter's (12/13) ... Had nine points, five boards and two blocked shots vs. Vermont (11/25).
A LOOK BACK AT THE OTHER BIG TEN GAMES TO DATE
OHIO STATE 73, NORTHWESTERN 56
COLUMBUS, Ohio (1/3) -- Winston Blake had a career-high 22 points to lead all scorers, but he received little support and the Northwestern men's basketball team fell to Ohio State, 73-56, at the Value City Center in Columbus.
The game was the Big Ten opener for both teams. Overall, the Wildcats are now 7-6, while OSU improved to 10-3.
Unlike last week's win over nationally-ranked USC, when they never trailed, the Wildcats never led in this contest. Ohio State's Brent Darby -- who ended the game with 21 points -- knocked down a 3-pointer just 18 seconds into the contest and the Buckeyes never looked back.
OSU opened up an eight-point lead after eight minutes, before Northwestern cut it to five on a number of occasions. However, the Buckeyes went on a 10-2 run over the final 5:23 of the half and took a 33-20 lead into the locker room.
Blake (11) and Tavaras Hardy (7) scored 18 of NU's 20 points in the first half, with the only other two coming on a Ben Johnson layup with 8:09 to play.
In the second half, Ohio State used the outside game of Darby with the inside presence of Ken Johnson to pull away. Johnson, who played just five minutes in the first half due to foul trouble, asserted himself in the paint with 10 points and five blocked shots in the second. Darby, meanwhile, continued to hit his shots en route to a career-best night.
The lead swelled to 21 at the 15-minute mark, and NU got no closer than 16 the rest of the way.
Northwestern sophomore center Aaron Jennings had 12 points, all in the second half, to establish a season high. Ed McCants, a freshman who hails from nearby Marion, Ohio, gave the hometown fans some thrills with a game-high seven rebounds. However, NU struggled from the field, shooting just 33.9 percent. That hardly came as a surprise -- the Wildcats entered the contest last in the Big Ten in field goal percentage, while Ohio State was first in the conference in field goal percentage defense.
PURDUE 69, NORTHWESTERN 61
EVANSTON, Ill. (1/6) -- The Northwestern men's basketball team fell to Purdue, 69-61, at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The 'Cats could not overcome a 16-2 Purdue run to start the game. NU closed to within six with 4:28 left in the contest, but that was as close as they would get.
Northwestern went into the locker room at halftime down by 14 points, 40-26, due in part to 7-of-21 shooting, only 2-of-6 from behind the arc.
In the second half, the `Cats slowly chipped away at Purdue's lead behind sophomore Aaron Jennings' 12 second-half points. Jennings led NU with 15 for the day, and added eight rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots. Winston Blake added 12 points, while Tavaras Hardy chipped in 11 and Jitim Young knocked down 10.
Purdue was led by Rodney Smith with 21 points and seven rebounds. John Allison recorded a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Carson Cunningham finished with 14 points and six assists.
MICHIGAN STATE 84, NORTHWESTERN 53
EAST LANSING, Mich. (1/10) -- The Northwestern University men's basketball team stuck with third-ranked Michigan State through most of the first half Wednesday night at the Spartans' Breslin Center, but ultimately MSU proved to big and too strong in downing the Wildcats, 84-53. It marked the most points allowed by NU this season.
Using the deliberate offense that has keyed some success during the early season, Northwestern managed to hang around with the athletic Spartans through much of the first half. Winston Blake got NU on the board first, nailing a 3-pointer just 31 seconds into the contest. MSU scored the next eight points, but Northwestern kept things interesting for quite awhile.
The key came at the end of the half. After Ben Johnson drained another trey to make the score 25-21 with seven minutes left before halftime, MSU took over. Using a 25-8 rebound advantage in the opening stanza, the Spartans scored 16 of the last 19 points before the break, and took a 41-24 lead into the locker room.
That lead quickly swelled to 20 in the second half and reached its biggest margin at the very end of the game.
Blake led the way for NU, scoring 13 points and knocking down four more treys on the night. He was the only Wildcat in double figures. Aaron Jennings had nine coming off the bench, while Tavaras Hardy scored eight points and had six boards.