Dec. 30, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern (RV/RV) faces its biggest challenge of the season when it faces No.6 Ohio State (14-1, 2-0) Thursday at 3 p.m. at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The two teams are tied for first place in the conference standings and have only experienced a combined three losses this season.
Fans wishing to stay up to date on the action in Thursday's game can do so by following the username @NU_sportsLIVE on Twitter. Gametracker will also be available on NUsports.com.
After opening the New Year at home against Penn State on Sunday, Jan. 3, the Wildcats hit the road next week for away games at Minnesota and at Purdue. The Wildcats battle the Gophers on Thursday, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. CT and they take on the Boilermakers at 1 p.m. CT on Sunday, Jan. 10. The game against Purdue will be streamed live on www.bigtennetwork.com.
Opponent profile
Ohio State Buckeyes
2009-10 Record: 14-1, 2-0
Series History: 35-15, Ohio State
Last Meeting: February 15, 2009; 81-55 Ohio State
The Buckeyes visit Evanston ranked No. 6 in both polls.
Ohio State's only loss of the season came at then-No. 11 Duke as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
OSU currently has three players averaging in double-figures, led by All-American Jantel Lavender, who is registering 22.9 points per outing.
As a team, the Buckeyes are ranked fourth in the nation and tops in the Big Ten in points per game, dumping in 85.1 per contest. Ohio State is also outscoring its opponents by an average of 24.7 points per game.
On a Roll
NU's victory over Michigan Monday night was the sixth in a row, which is the Wildcats' longest winning streak since 1995-96. That season, Nothwestern won its first nine games and also had a five-and a six-game winning streak over the course of the year before finishing the season with a 23-11 record.
Hackney Garners Freshman of the Week Accolades
Freshman Kendall Hackney helped the Wildcats improve to 11-2, the program's best start since the 1995-96 season, with a pair of wins over Loyola (Chicago) and Michigan last week.
The freshman averaged 13.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 62.5 percent from the floor as Northwestern posted a home win over the Chicagoland Ramblers and a victory on the road against Michigan. She tallied a career-best 20 points in an 85-58 rout against Loyola before contributing seven points and seven boards, including two timely triples, against Michigan on Monday.
The weekly honor is the first of Hackney's career and the first for any Wildcat (the award was established this year). It was also the second conference laurel for the Wildcats this season, as junior Amy Jaeschke was tabbed Big Ten Player of the Week on Nov. 23.
'Cats Representing The Big Ten In A Big Way
Northwestern's victory over SEC foe Arkansas (12.17.09) marked the third victory over a major BCS conference member. The Wildcats have knocked off a Big East team--then-No. 15 Depaul, 59-55; a Big XII member--Kansas State, 53-50; and then SEC participant, Arkansas, 67-55. The Wildcats have already downed two fellow Big Ten rivals, Purdue, 60-58, and Michigan, 63-59.
Marshall, Jaeschke Rank Among Nation's Best
According to the most recent NCAA statistics (12/20/09), Beth Marshall and Amy Jaeschke are among the nation's best in their respective crafts. Marshall is 13th in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.5) while Jaeschke is fourth in blocked shots (4.0 per outing). Both rank atop those categories in the Big Ten.
Orban Getting It Done For NU
Brittany Orban has been a huge contributor for Northwestern this season. The sophomore turned in a season-high 22 points on 8-of-11 from the field and 4-of-6 from beyond that arc against Loyola (Chicago) on 12.22.09. Orban also notched her first double-double effort of the season against Chicago State (12.19.09) with 20 points and a career-high 10 caroms. She has now tallied double-figures seven times this year, including five of the past seven contests, and is second on the squad with 11.5 ppg.
More On Orban
When you think hustle, think Brittany Orban. The sophomore has a team-high 42 offensive rebounds and is third on the squad in rebounds per game with 5.6. She is also third on the team in field goal percentage, connecting on 47 percent of her looks. Additionally, the North Canton, Ohio, native, is shooting a team-best 42.5 percent from three-point range. Northwestern is a perfect 4-0 when knocking down more three-pointers than its opponents.
Complete game notes can be accessed by clicking on the PDF above.