Feb. 2, 2001
Men's Basketball Game 22
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (8-13, 0-8)
vs. #6/6 Illinois (16-5, 6-2)
DATE/TIME: February 3, 2001/1:30 p.m.
SITE: Assembly Hall (Champaign, Ill.)
capacity: 16,450
TV: ESPN+ (WCIU-TV in Chicago)
RADIO: WGN (720 AM), WNUR (89.3 FM)
After winning his 100th game as a head coach Wednesday against Buffalo, Northwestern mentor Bill Carmody could admit he had not thought about reaching the milestone for quite some time.
No doubt, he has had plenty of other things to think about during his first season in the Big Ten.
The new year had not been kind to the Wildcats for most of the first month. After compiling a 7-5 record in the 2000 portion of the schedule -- punctuated by a two-point win over nationally-ranked USC on December 27 -- NU moved into conference play with the turning of the calendar and lost eight straight. The losses came in many varieties: there was a blowout at Michigan State, disappointingly close losses to Penn State and Michigan, and some middle-of-the-road defeats to others.
Wednesday's game with Buffalo provided a brief respite. It was, Carmody admitted afterward, a game that he would rather not see on the schedule. But then he quickly followed up with, "but now that we won, I love them!"
So now it is February, and with that comes eight more games in the conference. Northwestern is still looking for that elusive first win. Confidence is building, though, both in the system being taught by Carmody and in the skill level of the players themselves. Wednesday's win certainly aided that cause, as four of the Wildcat starters hit double figures in the scoring column while the fifth (Collier Drayton) had nine assists against just one turnover.
Northwestern is home for the next two games after today, hosting Minnesota Tuesday and Iowa next Saturday.
THE FUN FACT
With its 79-63 win over Buffalo Wednesday, Northwestern ended the non-conference portion of its schedule with four straight wins. That marks the longest season-ending, non-conference win streak since the 1993-94 team won all nine of its regular-season non-conference games en route to an NIT bid.
THE TRIVIA TRIFECTA
* NU has won just once in Champaign since 1980 (21 games).
* Winston Blake is sixth on NU's single-season and eighth on NU's all-time 3-point list (63 single season, 80 all-time).
* Northwestern has a 1.12 assist-to-turnover ratio (113 assists/101 turnovers) in Big Ten games. Last year the 'Cats' ratio in conference play was 0.67 (188 assists/280 TO's).
HEAD COACH BILL CARMODY
Bill Carmody earned his 100th win as a head coach Wednesday night against Buffalo. He got No. 100 in his 138th game as a head coach.
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 ILLINOIS
Today's game marks the 146th meeting between the Wildcats and the Fighting Illini, with Illinois holding a 112-33 advantage. Last year, Illinois defeated the Wildcats 63-30 in Evanston, and 73-44 here at Assembly Hall. These two teams met on January 17 in Evanston, with the Illini winning, 63-49. Illinois played without Marcus Griffin, and received a battle from the Wildcats for most of the contest. With 10 minutes left the score was 44-43, Illinois, before a 13-2 run by the Illini clinched the win.
THE FIRST MEETING
Game 17 -- Illinois 63, Northwestern 49
EVANSTON, Ill. (1/17) --- The Northwestern men's basketball team (7-10, 0-5) fell to in-state rival Illinois (14-4, 4-1) 63-49 Wednesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The 'Cats pulled within one at 44-43, with 10:39 left in the game, but could not hold off a late 13-2 run by the 11th-ranked Illini. NU was led in scoring by Ben Johnson with 11, Jitim Young added 10.
The 'Cats took the early lead on a backdoor layup by Young, but Illinois answered with a three-pointer by Sergio McClain. The lead would change hands two more times before Illinois went up for good, 16-15, on a jumper by the Illini's Frank Williams with 7:47 to play in the first half. Illinois went into the half up 32-25.
After the break, the 'Cats slowly chipped away at the deficit, but four consecutive put-back layups by Brian Cook put the Illini up by 12 and the game out of reach. Cook finished the night with 14 points and 11 rebounds while Williams chipped in 16 points and added five assists. Illinois dominated the boards, out-rebounding the 'Cats 42-18.
THE PROBABLE NU LINEUP vs. ILLINOIS
STARTERS
G -- Collier Drayton (#32) - Jr., 6-2, 185 - 5.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 34.5 mpg
9 assists, 1 turnover vs. Buffalo
G -- Jitim Young (#25) - Fr., 6-2, 185 - 8.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 28.3 mpg
8 steals in last two games
F -- Ben Johnson (#5) - So., 6-2, 180 - 10.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 31.6 mpg
35 points in last two games
F -- Winston Blake (#3) - So., 6-5, 190 - 12.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 32.1 mpg
seven 3's vs. Michigan on 1/27
C -- Tavaras Hardy (#33) - Jr., 6-8, 225 - 10.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 29.1 mpg
12.6 ppg in last 12 games
OFF THE BENCH
Jason Burke (#30) - So., 6-6, 190 - 2.3 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 11.4 mpg
14 assists, 5 steals
Aaron Jennings (#55) - So., 6-11, 210 - 5.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 15.7 mpg
8.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg in Big Ten games
Ed McCants (#44) - Fr., 6-2, 180 - 5.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 16.8 mpg
22 treys 2nd on team
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 10-player roster has just two juniors -- Collier Drayton and Tavaras Hardy -- to go with five sophomores and three freshmen. According to Stats, Inc., the Wildcats entered the week first in the nation in minutes played by freshmen and sophomores at 85.4 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 youngest in terms of experience based on eligibility and minutes played (1.000 for freshmen, 4.000 for seniors). NU's average is 1.911.
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 have also broken the school mark with 31 attempts twice this season -- vs. the Purple Aces, and last Saturday against Michigan.
According to Stats, Inc., the Wildcats entered the week eighth in the nation with 427 of its 1,015 field-goal attempts this season coming from beyond the arc (42.1 percent). In addition, NU is third in the Big Ten's overall stats averaging 6.94 treys made per game.
DEE-FENSE!
Currently, the Wildcats are fourth in the Big Ten in overall scoring defense, allowing 62.7 points per game. They are behind Wisconsin (56.4), Ohio State (60.3) and Michigan State (61.3).
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 has had just 10 turnovers against Ohio State, Michigan State, Purdue and last Saturday against Michigan. That marks the fewest in a conference game since the 'Cats had eight against the Nittany Lions on 3/4/99. On Wednesday, NU had just eight turnovers against Buffalo in a 79-63 win.
SHARE THE WEALTH
Another staple among Coach Carmody's teams is how many baskets come directly off a pass. Take the last three games, for example: against Michigan State, Michigan and Buffalo, 58 of Northwestern's 71 total field goals came directly off a pass. According to Stats, Inc., Northwestern entered the week sixth nationally with 67.5 percent of its field goals coming off an assist (282 of 418). Among the highlights: 19 assists on 21 field goals against Vermont, and 25 assists on 28 field goals against Mississippi Valley State.
A PAIR OF THIEVES
Northwestern has two players among the Big Ten Conference's overall steal leaders. Jitim Young -- who totaled eight vs. Michigan and Buffalo -- averages 1.57 steals per game and is fifth, while Collier Drayton averages 1.29 per game which ties him for 11th.
BOMBS AWAY
Sophomore guard Winston Blake tied Todd Leslie's single-game record with seven 3-pointers last Saturday against Michigan, and has 63 treys this season which puts him sixth on NU's single-season list. Blake leads the Big Ten in 3-pointers per game in conference play (3.50). Blake has also had five-trey games against Mississippi Valley State, La Salle and Penn State this year.
`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 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 was Big Ten Co-Player of the Week. He had 20 points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots and two steals as NU defeated No. 16 USC, 63-61. It was Northwestern's first win over a ranked opponent since a 54-50 win over No. 14 Purdue on January 27, 1999.
NU PLAYER BIOS FOR THE 2000-01 SEASON
#3 -- Winston Blake
Soph., F/G, Plano, Texas/Plano Senior
Starter in all 21 games ... Leads team, 20th in Big Ten with 12.6 points per game (13.9/14th in Big Ten games), and has led team in scoring eight times ... Double-figure scorer in 15 games ... Second in the Big Ten in overall 3-pointers per game (3.00) ... Leads Big Ten in 3-pointers per game in conference play (3.50) ... Second on the team averaging 32.1 minutes per game ... Third on the team with 19 steals ... Led team with career-high 23 points, tied a school record with seven 3-pointers vs. Michigan (1/27) ... Had five 3-pointers on six attempts en route to team-high 17 points vs. Penn State (1/13) ... Also 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) ... 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 21 games ... Second on the team in scoring, averaging 10.6 ppg, and has led team in scoring in four games ... Double-figure scorer in 11 games ... Second on the team with 49 assists ... Second on the team with 3.9 rebounds per game ... Scored 16 points, dished out five assists vs. Buffalo (1/31) ... Had 19 points, four rebounds and four assists vs. Michigan (1/27) ... Had team-high 11 points, tied for team lead with four rebounds vs. Illinois (1/17) ... Had 16 points and team-high eight rebounds at Penn State (1/13) ... 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 31.3 ... 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 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 21 games ... Fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 8.3 ppg ... Third on the team with 3.8 rebounds per game and 47 assists ... Leads team, fifth in the Big Ten with 33 steals (1.57 spg) ... Had 16 points, six boards, four steals vs. Buffalo (1/31) ... Collected four assists and four steals vs. Michigan (1/27) ... Scored 10 points, dished out five assists vs. Michigan State (1/24) ... Tied for team lead with nine rebounds at Purdue (1/20), added three assists and two steals ... Had 10-point games against Illinois (1/17) and 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 19 of 21 games ... Had five points and three rebounds vs. Buffalo (1/31) ... Scored seven points in seven minutes vs. Michigan State (1/24) ... Played season-high 22 minutes at Purdue, with three points and three rebounds (1/20) ... 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 21 games, starting all but the season opener ... Leads team with 73 assists against just 49 turnovers ... Leads team with 34.5 minutes played per game ... Tied for 11th in the Big Ten in steals per game (1.29) and 13th in assists per game (3.48) ... Had career-high nine assists against just one turnover, snared seven rebounds against Buffalo (1/31) ... Had 10 points and five rebounds at Purdue (1/20) ... Had four assists and four steals at Penn State (1/13) ... 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 vs. Mississippi Valley State (12/2).
#33 - Tavaras Hardy
Jr., C, Joliet, Ill./Providence
Starter in all 21 games ... Third on the team in scoring with 10.4 ppg (11.0 in Big Ten) ... Leads team, 16th in Big Ten in rebounding with 5.9 boards per game ... Leads team, 11th in Big Ten with 23 blocked shots ... Leads team with 69 FT made ... Shooting team-high 50 percent from field (75-150) ... Scored season-best 21 points, had eight boards vs. Buffalo (1/31) ... Had 10 points, team-high six boards and five assists vs. Michigan (1/27) ... Led team with 17 points and four rebounds vs. Michigan State (1/24) ... Had nine points and tied for team lead with nine boards at Purdue (1/20) ... Had 13 points, six rebounds, two blocks at Penn State (1/13) ... 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 20 of 21 games ... Averaging 5.0 points and 16.8 minutes per game off the bench ... Second on the team with 22 three-point FG made ... Had eight points and five rebounds at Penn State (1/13) ... 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 21 games, starting the season opener against Arkansas-Little Rock ... Averaging 8.6 ppg in Big Ten games ... Had eight points and three assists vs. Michigan State (1/24) ... Led team with 13 points in 17 minutes at Purdue (1/20) ... Led team with 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots vs. Purdue (1/6) ... Scored 12 points, all in the second half, and added three rebounds and three steals vs. Ohio State (1/3) ... 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).