Jan. 11, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Northwestern and Michigan will each be in search of its first Big Ten victory of the season Saturday as the Wildcats host the Wolverines at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. Both squads enter the contest 0-3 in conference play. Big Ten Network will have coverage of the game with Jay Wilson and Tim Doyle on the call.
The matchup can also be heard on WGN Radio (720 AM) with Dave Eanet and David Kaplan describing the action.
It will also be 80's Night at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The first 500 fans will receive a free pair of purple 80's-style gloves and the five best-dressed fans in 80's gear will win NU apparel. Plus, all fans are welcome to stay for the free postgame concert featuring the 80's band "80's Proof." Half-price group tickets (20 or more) are available but must be purchased in advance.
Series History: Michigan leads, 98-52.
Last Meeting: The Wolverines won the only meeting between the teams last season 58-46 Jan. 6, 2007 in Evanston. Northwestern shot just 19 percent (5 for 26) in the second half after the game was tied 28-28 at the break.
Last Time Out
Kevin Coble posted season highs of 17 points and seven rebounds, but the Northwestern was unable to overcome a big first-half run by Minnesota in falling 82-63 Wednesday at Williams Arena. Dan Coleman had 19 points and 14 rebounds for Minnesota to help it end a three-game home losing streak to the Wildcats. Blake Hoffarber scored 15 points, thanks to a perfect first half from 3-point range. NU stormed out of the gates to a 20-14 lead eight minutes into the contest. However, the Wildcats suddenly hit a dry spell as the Golden Gophers used a 22-2 run to build a 36-22 advantage. Hoffarber would make five shots from behind the arc in as many attempts in the half as Minnesota eventually took a 42-29 into the break. Much like it did in the opening half, NU came out on fire to start the second half. The Wildcats used a quick 9-2 spurt to get back to within six at 44-38 just under three minutes into the half. Northwestern was within eight when Minnesota used a 9-0 run to increase its lead to 58-41 at the 12:41 mark. The Wildcats fought back to within striking distance and were down by just nine with 3:28 to go before the hosts finished the game on a 12-2 run.
From Way Downtown
The Wildcats haven't been shy from 3-point range this season, hoisting a conference-high average of 24.8 attempts per game. Northwestern has put up a combined 60 shots from behind the arc the past two games, including 32 at Ohio State Jan. 6 which ranks as a tie for the fourth-highest total in a game in school history. Craig Moore has put up 24 of those 60 attempts with his total of 14 at Ohio State tying the NU record previously set twice by Geno Carlisle during the 1995-96 season. The Wildcats rank second in the Big Ten with a .379 field goal percentage.
Scouting Michigan
The Wolverines (4-11, 0-3) will be attempting to snap a five-game losing streak, most recently falling 78-64 at home to Indiana on Tuesday. Manny Harris led Michigan with 19 points against the Hoosiers.
Harris, a freshman, paces the Wolverines and ranks fifth in the Big Ten with an average of 16.5 points per game. His 104 free throw attempts are second in the conference to only Indiana's Eric Gordon.
Michigan is tied with Michigan State for the Big Ten lead in blocked shots with an average of 5.47 per contest. Ekpe Udoh is the primary reason as his average of 3.0 blocks per game is tops in the conference.
Head coach John Beilein is in his first season with the Wolverines after serving the last five seasons at the helm at West Virginia. He led the Mountaineers to a pair of NCAA Sweet 16 appearances and an NIT championship last season.
Up Next...
NU takes a break from Big Ten play as it travels to Chicago State Wednesday for a 7 p.m. tip.