Dec. 3, 2007
NU Game Notes vs. Arkansas State
Watch the free live webcast on BigTenNetwork.com.
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Northwestern will try to build on the momentum of Saturday's victory over Savannah State as it hosts Arkansas State at 7 p.m. Monday at Welsh-Ryan Arena. A free video stream of the contest will be available at BigTenNetwork.com.
WGN Radio (720 AM) will also carry the game live with Dave Eanet and Shon Morris on the call.
This will be the first meeting between the Wildcats and the Indians.
Last Time Out
A staunch Northwestern defense forced 32 Savannah State turnovers as the Wildcats snapped a two-game losing skid with a 68-58 victory Saturday afternoon at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Senior guard Jason Okrzesik led NU with a career-high 18 points. The Tigers took a 28-24 lead into the intermission. After forcing 12 first-half turnovers, NU kept the intensity up out of the break. Savannah State gave the ball away 11 more times in the first seven minutes of the second half as the Wildcats opened the half on a 16-2 run to pull ahead 40-30. Jeff Ryan scored seven points during the decisive spurt. The Tigers managed to hang within striking distance, though. Two free throws by Okrzesik gave Northwestern a 62-55 lead with 1:32 left before Anthony Jones answered right back on the other end by hitting a 3-pointer and drawing a foul. However, Jones missed the ensuing free throw and Craig Moore nailed a trey with the shot clock winding down and just 48 seconds left to seal the win for the Wildcats.
Throwing it All Away
The 32 turnovers that Northwestern forced in its victory over Savannah State Dec. 1 were the most by an NU opponent in Bill Carmody's eight seasons as head coach. The previous high was 26 by Penn State March 11, 2004. The Wildcats forced turnovers on each of the Tigers' first nine second-half possessions en route to 20 second-half turnovers overall. The Wildcats turned the 32 totalmiscues into 30 points. Craig Moore tied a team season high with seven steals in the contest. Mike Capocci also had seven steals against Benedictine (Ill.) Nov. 20. The total ranks as a tie for the eighth-best effort in school history.
A Boost Off the Bench
Senior guard Jason Okrzesik has come off the bench in each of Northwestern's first six games this season and has provided the team with a lift. Okrzesik ranks third on the team with an average of 11.7 points per game and is a close second with a .412 3-point field goal percentage. He has twice set new career highs for scoring in a game this season, first with his 15-point effort against Benedictine (Ill.) Nov. 20 and then again with 18 points vs. Savannah State Dec. 1. Okrzesik has scored at least eight points in every game this season.
The Season for Giving
The Wildcats a close second in the Big Ten in assists so far this season, averaging 18.50 per contest. Michigan State ranks first at 18.71 per game. Michael Thompson has played a large role in Northwestern ranking atop the category as he is tied for the individual conference lead with 5.0 assists per game along with MSU's Drew Neitzel. Craig Moore is close behind, tied for sixth at 4.17 helpers per game. NU is also tops in the Big Ten with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.61. The 'Cats are averaging a league-low 11.5 turnovers per contest through their first six games. The Wildcats are also a close second behind Minnesota with a norm of 10.33 steals per contest.
Scouting Arkansas State
The Indians (2-4) are coming off a 71-69 victory over UT Martin last Thursday. Adrian Banks led Arkansas State with 22 points and hit the winning basket at the buzzer.
Banks, a senior guard, has scored 18 or more points in five of the team's six games this season, including 32 at then-No. 3 Memphis Nov. 20. He leads ASU with an average of 21.7 points per game this season after ranking 12th in the nation in scoring last season (21.1 ppg).
This will be the first meeting between Northwestern and Arkansas State.
Arkansas State head coach Dickey Nutt is the brother of former Arkansas and new Mississippi football head coach Houston Nutt. He is in his 13th season with the Indians and has a 182-174 career record.
Jones Joins Basketball Program
Northwestern made an addition to its roster last week when senior guard Tonjua Jones joined the squad as a walk-on. Jones has participated on the NU football team as a wide receiver each of the past four seasons, including serving as a team captain during the 2007 campaign. He finished the 2007 football season with 19 receptions for 196 yards and two touchdowns.
Up Next...
The Wildcats hit the road Saturday as they travel to Kalamazoo, Mich., to face Western Michigan. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. Central time.