| No. 25 Northwestern (21-6, 11-5 B1G) vs. No. 20 Rutgers (20-7, 11-5 B1G) |
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| Date | Thursday, Feb. 26 | 7:00 p.m. |
| Location | Welsh-Ryan Arena | Evanston, Ill. |
| Watch Live | BTN Plus on BTN2Go |
| Listen Live | WNUR - 89.3 FM |
| Live Stats | GameTracker |
| Social Media | @nuwbball  | Northwestern Women's Basketball  | @NUCATS_WBB  |
| Game Notes (PDF) |
Northwestern | Rutgers |
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern, which cracked the Associated Press poll Monday for the first time since 1996, opens the final weekend of the regular season on Thursday, Feb. 26, when Big Ten newcomer Rutgers comes calling at 7 p.m.
20 & 10
With a win over No. 21/20 Nebraska on Feb. 18, Northwestern secured its 20th victory of the season for the first time in seven years under head coach Joe McKeown. In fact, the 'Cats have won at least 21 games for the first time since the 1992-93 season (23). Chicago's Big Ten Team has also been successful in conference play this year by earning 11 wins with two games to play. No Northwestern team has won at least 11 games in the league since the 1992-93 squad did so (13). The school record for the most wins in a season is 24, which has happened twice, most recently in 1989-90 (also 1979-80). The most Big Ten wins in team history, 15, also came in 1989-90. That team won the program's first Big Ten Championship.
HISTORICAL POLL PRESENCE
On Monday, Northwestern broke into the Associated Press top-25 poll (at No. 25) for the first time since Jan. 29, 1996. Earlier this season, the Wildcats entered the USA Today top 25 coaches poll for the first time ever on Dec. 30, 2014, checking in at No. 25. The highest AP ranking in program history came on Dec. 10, 1990 (6), and the 'Cats have appeared in the final poll twice. Northwestern was ranked No. 13 to conclude the 1989-90 campaign and No. 22 at the end of the 1990-91 season. Additionally, the 'Cats remain among others receiving votes in the coaches poll this week.
MCKEOWN JOINS RARE COMPANY
By helping the Wildcats secure a spot in the Associated Press top-25 poll this week, Northwestern head coach Joe McKeown joined an exclusive group. According to Mel Greenberg, the Philadelphia native, who also coached at New Mexico State and George Washington, became only the 10th coach ever to guide at least three teams into the AP poll when NU received the nod this week. Other notable members of the club include Thursday's opponent, C. Vivian Stringer (Cheyney, Iowa, Rutgers), and former Wildcats' head coach Don Perrelli (Northwestern, Southern Connecticut and St. John's).
ROAD WARRIORS
The Wildcats secured their 11th win of the season away from home on Feb. 22 at the Kohl Center against Wisconsin. The 1990-91 Northwestern squad was the last to win as many games away from Welsh-Ryan Arena. Notably, Northwestern won against Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich., on Dec. 28, for the first time since March 5, 1993, and in West Lafayette, Ind., against Purdue, for the first time since Dec. 29, 1996. This season the Wildcats also won in Ann Arbor, Mich., for the first time since Dec. 28, 2009.
COFFEY CONTINUES TO ROLL
Northwestern's Nia Coffey has been named to the Big Ten Weekly Honor Roll four consecutive times after receiving the recognition once again on Monday. The sophomore has turned in six double-doubles in her last eight games and is averaging 19.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.9 blocks per game over the last eight contests. After recording her sixth consecutive double-double against No. 21/20 Nebraska on Feb. 18, Coffey went for 21 points, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks Sunday as she helped the 'Cats erase a 15-point deficit and win in overtime at Wisconsin. The sophomore ranks eighth in the Big Ten in both rebounding and blocks this season, and ninth in scoring.
COMEBACK 'CATS
Northwestern has been in good shape with the lead at halftime this season. The Wildcats are 18-1 when leading at the break, but in the last three road games, they've shown the ability to come from behind, too. NU trailed Purdue by as many as 14 points in the first half on Feb. 11 before rallying to win by eight in overtime. Michigan led Northwestern by as many as 13 points in the opening half, and 10 at the intermission, but the 'Cats got a left-handed layup from Nia Coffey with 4.9 seconds left on Feb. 14 to secure their fifth consecutive win. On Sunday, NU was down by 15 at Wisconsin with under 10 minutes to go, and by 10 with less than five to go, before rallying to force overtime and eventually win, 86-83.
SCOUTING RUTGERS
Overall Record: 20-7, 11-5 Big Ten
All-Time Series Record: RU leads, 2-0
Notable: The Scarlet Knights make their first-ever trip to Welsh-Ryan Arena to begin the final week of the 2014-15 regular season. Rutgers boasts one of the top defenses in the the Big Ten as it holds opponents to a shooting mark of 36.1 percent from the floor and 59.5 points per game. Syessence Davis is a key piece in Rutgers' puzzle this season. The senior ranks fourth in the NCAA in both assist/turnover ratio (3.39) and steals (3.44). Three Scarlet Knights are averaging at least 15 points per game, including Betnijah Laney who is averaging a double-double behind 15.9 ppg and 10.7 rpg.
UP NEXT
Northwestern closes the regular season on Sunday, March 1 at home against No. 5/5 Maryland at noon. It will be the first-ever meeting on the hardwood for the Wildcats and Terrapins. Sunday will also be Senior Day and Alex Cohen and Karly Roser will be honored in a pregame ceremony. The contest will be televised live on the Big Ten Network.
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