Jan. 7, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern visits Michigan State on the heels of its first conference win of the season, a 49-46 decision against Wisconsin Sunday evening at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The game against the Badgers (RV/RV) capped off a solid week for the 'Cats, who gave No. 17 Ohio State all it could handle in a 68-59 battle on New Year's Eve. Sophomore Amy Jaeschke was named co-Big Ten Player of the Week for her performances over the seven days.
Against Wisconsin
The new year marked a fresh start for the 'Cats, and one they took advantage of, commencing 2009 with a `W". Northwestern used a balanced offensive attack to down Wisconsin, who entered the contest with a 12-2 mark. Jaeschke notched a team-high 12 points while freshman Maggie Mocchi contributed 10. The Wildcats used several different defensive looks to confuse the Badgers' offense, specifically their guards.
Against Ohio State
Northwestern gave the Buckeyes a tough game, but OSU edged out a 68-59 win Wednesday evening in Evanston. NU held last year's co-Big Ten Player of the Year Jantel Lavender to 15 points and five rebounds--just the second time this season the sophomore has not notched a double-double. On the flip side, sophomore Amy Jaeschke netted a game-high 24 points while also grabbing five rebounds. Junior Kristin Cartwright and sophomore Meshia Reed joined Jaeschke in double-figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Northwestern shot a season-best 53.5 percent from the field and a season-high 90 percent (9-of-10) from the free-throw line.
Scouting the Spartans
Michigan State enters the game following a 67-49 loss against Ohio State Sunday afternoon in Columbus. The loss pulled the Spartans' record to 9-6 overall and 2-2 in the league. The Spartans return all five starters from last year's 23-14 team, including standout center Alyssa DeHaan. The 6-9 junior leads MSU in rebounding with 7.1 rpg and is second with 10 ppg. She has been in the top five nationally all season in blocks and is first in the Big Ten, averaging 3.6 per outing. Fellow classmate Aisha Jefferson leads the Spartans offensively with 12.9 ppg, while sophomore Kalisha Keane has a team-best 38 helps and 31 steals on the season. While DeHaan tops the Big Ten in blocked shots and Lauren Aitch is fourth in field goal percentage (.527), no other Spartan ranks in the top five statistically. As a team, however, Michigan State is in the top three in 12-out-of-the 19 league statistical categories. MSU is at the top of the league in scoring offense (69.3), scoring defense (57.5), scoring margin (+11.8), field goal percentage defense (.342), 3-point field goal percentage defense, rebounding offense (44.3) and defense (34.1), rebounding margin (+10.1), blocked shots (6.27), assists (16.73) and offensive (15.67) and defensive rebounds (28.60). Michigan State is led by second-year head coach Suzy Merchant.
The Series against Michigan State
The Spartans hold a 38-18 advantage in the all-time series between the two squads.
Jaeschke Nabs Big Ten Player of the Week Honors
Sophomore Amy Jaeschke was named co-Big Ten Player of the Week by the conference office today after spearheading two impressive Wildcat performances last week against No. 17 Ohio State and Wisconsin.
Northwestern played the No. 17 Buckeyes to within nine points, primarily because of Jaeschke's defensive effort against last year's co-Big Ten Player of the Year Jantel Lavender. Jaeschke limited Lavender to 15 points and just five rebounds; only the second time this year the sophomore has not recorded a double-double. In the meantime, Jaeschke turned in a game-high 24 points and five boards and was asked to play the full 40 minutes. The Wilmette, Ill., native was 6-of-7 (.857) from the charity stripe and 9-of-18 (.500) from the field.
In the win against Wisconsin on Sunday, Jaeschke netted 12 points while adding four rebounds and four blocks. Defensively, she held UW's leading rebounder, Lin Zastrow to just three boards and helped limit the Badger offense to only 17 second-half points.
Conference Call
Sophomores Amy Jaeschke and Meshia Reed know that Big Ten play is really what counts. The two have scored over half of the team's points in the first three league contests. Jaeschke leads the squad with an average of 17.3 ppg, while Reed is recording 9.0. The duo is also getting the job done on the glass, leading the way with 6.8 and 3.3 rpg, respectively. Reed is second on the team in field goal percentage in conference games, shooting .500 (12-of-14) through the four games.
Almost ...There
Though the record doesn't reflect the progress Northwestern has made this season, consider the following:
Northwestern has held the lead at halftime in 10-of its-15 games this season.
All but three of NU's 10 losses have been by single-digits and four have been by six points or less.
Comparing this year's numbers with last year's stats at the same time (through 15 games) shows that the 'Cats have improved in points per game, scoring margin, field goal percentage, free-throw percentage, rebounding margin, turnover margin, assist/turnover ratio, blocks and turnovers.
The Wildcats On The Big Stage
As of Jan. 4, Northwestern ranks 50th nationally in field goal percentage (43.6) and 67th in blocked shots with4.4 per game. Individually, sophomore Amy Jaeschke is 39th in the nation in rebounds per game and 8th in blocked shots. She also appears in the top 100 in field goal percentage (68th) and points per game (56th).
On Point
Northwestern shot a season-high 53.5 percent from the field against No. 17 Ohio State on New Year's Eve. Additionally, the 'Cats connected on .900 percent of their opportunies (9-of-10) from the free-throw line and were .444 percent from beyond the arc. As a team, the Wildcats are shooting .436 (333-764) from the field, which ranks third in the Big Ten and 50th in the country.
Value The Rock
The famous phrase, "value the rock" could not be more true for Northwestern. When the 'Cats turn the ball over less than their opponents, they are a stellar 4-1. In the victory against Wisconsin on Sunday, the Wildcats turned the ball over just 11 times, the second-lowest turnover count of the season.
A Quick Look in the Rearview Mirror
With the victory over Wisconsin on Jan. 4, the Wildcats notched their fifth win of the year, tying last year's season win total. Individually, Amy Jaeschke is on the brink of surpassing several of her stat line numbers from all of last season just mid-way through 2008-09. If she stays on pace, she will eclipse her career highs in assists, points, blocks, steals and rebounds in the next few games. Sophomore Meshia Reed shot .336 from the field last season and is shooting at a .500 clip this year. Senior Erin Dickerson has already surpassed her point total from last season, her total steals and her three-point shooting percentage.