Northwestern University Athletics
Men's Basketball Hosts In-State Rival Illinois
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
February 16, 1999
Northwestern Wildcats (14-8, 6-6 Big Ten)
vs.
Illinois Fighting Illini (10-15, 2-11 Big Ten)
The Wildcats look to snap a two-game losing streak on Wednesday as Northwestern hosts intrastate-rival Illinois. NU is coming off a 69-62, overtime loss to 15th-ranked Indiana last Saturday.
Northwestern opened up a nine-point lead (21-12) midway through the period and would take a four-point cushion (39-35) into the locker room at halftime. Freshman David Newman hit 5-of-6 three pointers during the first period. The Wildcat lead was still nine points (52-43) as Sean Wink hit a three-pointer with 12:30 remaining. The Hoosiers rallied back, eventually taking the lead at 59-57 with 5:18 left in the contest. Steve Lepore hit a three-pointer at the 2:19 mark to give the Wildcats a 62-59 lead, but IU's Luke Recker answered with a trey to send the game into overtime at 62-62. Five of Indiana's seven points in overtime came from the free throw line as the Hoosiers went on to claim victory.
Evan Eschmeyer notched his Big Ten-leading 13th double-double of the season with 12 points and 14 rebounds. He also tied with teammate Julian Bonner for game-high honors in assists (five). Bonner moved into fourth on the NU all-time assist chart, now with 272 career assists.
Newman led NU with 18 points on a career-best six three-pointers. Steve Lepore added four three-pointers en route to 12 points. Tavaras Hardy added 12 points, five rebounds and four assists in the contest.
Northwestern-Illinois, The Series
This will be the 142nd all-time meeting between the two schools. Illinois holds a 108-33 series lead. The Wildcats won the first meeting this season, a 59-46 decision in Champaign on Jan. 9. It was NU's first win in Champaign since 1979. The last time NU swept the season series from Illinois was the 1965-66 season.
Head Coach Kevin O'Neill
Kevin O'Neill (McGill, 1979) is in his second season at the helm of the Wildcat basketball program. This is his 11th season as head coach at the Division I level and 13th overall as a collegiate head coach. He also has served as head coach at North Country CC (1980-82), Marycrest (1982-83), Marquette (1989-94) and Tennessee (1994-97).
O'Neill owns a 24-25 record at NU and a 164-145 record as a Division I head coach. Known as one of the best recruiters in the nation, O'Neill resurrected the Marquette and Tennessee programs, taking two teams which had not enjoyed recent success to postseason play.
Best Big Ten Start Since 1967-68
The turnaround of the Wildcat program under head coach Kevin O'Neill is making a dent in the Wildcat history books.
This marks the first time since the 1967-68 season the Wildcats have started a Big Ten season at 6-6. The 1967-68 squad finished 13-10 overall and fourth in the Big Ten at 8-6.
NU has notched 14 wins for just the 11th time in school history, the last coming in the 1993-94 NIT campaign (15-14 overall). The school record for wins in a season is 18, set by the 1982-83 squad which ended 18-12 overall and also advanced to the NIT. A win vs. Illinois would give NU 15 wins for just the seventh time in school history.
The Nation's Top Field Goal Defense
The 'Cats continue to hold the NCAA's No. 1 ranking in field goal percentage defense. NU enters the Illinois game holding opponents to .365 shooting from the field. NU is second in the Big Ten and fifth in the NCAA in scoring defense, allowing just 55.9 points per game.
Northwestern also leads the Big Ten in three-point field goal defense, allowing opponents to shoot just .281 from beyond the arc. Here's what NU has done to some opposing offenses this season:
Held #21 Iowa (76 ppg entering the game) to just 52 points.
Held #16 Minnesota (74 ppg entering game) to 55 points. Also held UM to .311 shooting (.486 entering game).
Held UT-Pan Am's Brian Merriweather, who entered the game as the nation's leading scorer at 25.3 ppg, to just 14 points.
Held St. Francis' Ray Minlend, currently the NCAA leader in scoring, to just 11 points.
Held Michigan's Louis Bullock, who entered the game 17th in the country averaging 21.6 ppg, to just eight points. NU also snapped his consecutive-game streak of hitting at least one three pointer at 45 games.
Eschmeyer Named National Player of the Year Finalist for Second Time in February
Last Friday, Evan Eschmeyer was named one of 10 finalists for the Naismith Award, presented by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to the National Player of the Year. This is the second National Player of the Year award to which Eschmeyer has been named a finalist. Earlier this month, he was named one of 10 finalists for the Oscar Robertson Award, presented by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
On December 29, he was named to the mid-season top 30 team for the John Wooden Award, which is presented by the Los Angeles Athletic Club to the national player of the year. Eschmeyer was one of only two true centers to earn a spot on the list (Washington's Todd MacCulloch).
The Oscar Robertson Award will be presented March 28 at the Final Four in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Wooden Award will be presented in Los Angeles on April 2. The Naismith Award will be presented in Atlanta on April 3.
Eschmeyer is Nation's Only 20-10 Player
Evan Eschmeyer is the only player in NCAA Division I who is averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. He comes into the Illinois contest averaging 20.1 ppg and 11.0 rpg.
Eschmeyer Leads the Big Ten -- Times Three
Evan Eschmeyer currently stands atop the Big Ten in three statistical categories: rebounds (11.0 rpg), field goal percentage (.593) and double-doubles (13). He also is third in the Big Ten in scoring (20.1 ppg).
Nationally, "Esch" ranks fifth in rebounding, 12th in field goal percentage and 31st in scoring. He enters the Illinois game with 43 career double-doubles and has scored in double figures 63-straight games. Also, his 13 double-doubles is tied for third in the country.
He's a Rolls Roycer, Baby!
Evan Eschmeyer was named the starting center on Dick Vitale's "All-Rolls Royce Team" for the best players in the country. The other four to make Vitale's lineup were Richard Hamilton (UConn), Andre Miller (Utah), Elton Brand (Duke) and Jason Terry (Arizona).
Said Vitale: "Eschmeyer is a very strong, physical player and really has great touch around the basket. He's also tireless attacking the glass as a rebounder."
More on Eschmeyer
With his 29 points against Michigan, Eschmeyer became just the second Wildcat ever, and the 57th in conference history, to record 1,000 Big Ten points. Billy McKinney is the only other NU player to accomplish the feat. He has now scored 1,067 career points against Big Ten Conference competition.
Eschmeyer's league-leading 13 double-doubles is nearly triple that of his closest Big Ten competitor. Three players are tied for second in the conference with five double-doubles.
On January 13, he recorded just the second triple-double in program history with his 27-point, 12-rebound, 10-assist performance at Indiana. It also was the first-ever triple-double posted in IU's Assembly Hall.
In the Jan. 27 USA Today, Eschmeyer was named to their midseason All-America first team and described as "the most productive player in the nation's best conference." CNN/SI also named him to their midseason All-America team on Jan. 25.
Three-time Big Ten Player of the Week
Evan Eschmeyer has been named Big Ten Player of the Week three times this season, the only player in the conference to earn that distinction.
On Dec. 28, he was named Big Ten Co-Player of the Week after recording double-doubles in NU's games against Boston College (23p, 10r) and Long Beach State (16p, 13r). On Jan. 11, he earned the honor again after leading NU to wins at 16th-ranked Minnesota (24p, 15r) and at Illinois (16p, 17r, 5a).
Eschmeyer earned the nod for the third time on Feb. 8 after scoring a combined 57 points (29 vs. Michigan, 28 at PSU) and adding 22 rebounds in just 56 minutes of play.
Eschmeyer Holds Four NU Career Records
Evan Eschmeyer has already set four NU career marks and could hold a fifth by season's end. He enters the Illinois game needing just 11 blocked shots to break the NU career blocks record. Here's where Eschmeyer currently ranks among NU's all-time career leaders:
Category Eschmeyer Next Up FG Pct. 1st - .598 --- FT Attempts 1st - 794 --- Rebounds 1st - 944 --- FT Made 1st - 511 --- Scoring 2nd - 1,679 Billy McKinney (1,900) Blocked Shots t2nd - 123 Jim Pitts (123), Kevin Rankin (133) Field Goals 3rd - 584 Jim Stack (623), Billy McKinney (768)Recent Rumblings About Eschmeyer
Many coaches and media have started to take notice of Northwestern's National Player of the Year Candidate Evan Eschmeyer, including CNN/SI and USA Today, both of which named Esch to their midseason All-America teams. Here's a sampling of what's appeared within the last couple of weeks:
"The most productive player in the nation's best conference."
-- USA Today (January 27)
"As long as I've been in the Big Ten, I'm not sure there has been a single player like Eschmeyer where his team has played to and from one guy. Not even Magic Johnson. I love to watch him."
-- Indiana head coach Bob Knight (February 13)
"Evan Eschmeyer's shoulders are big enough to carry all of Chicago."
-- Greg Collins, ESPN.com (February 8)
"Eschmeyer is the man to beat for MVP."
-- Gary Reinmuth, Chicago Tribune (February 3)
"There's no better post player in college."
-- Seth Davis, Sports Illustrated (February 2)
"Evan Eschmeyer is my pick for Big Ten Player of the Year. Kevin O'Neill has helped develop him into a well-balanced player on both sides of the court."
-- Digger Phelps, ESPN (February 2)
"He's why Northwestern...is in good shape for its first NCAA tournament berth."
-- Rob Miech, CBS Sportsline (January 29)
"Northwestern is efficient...playing the inside-outside game with Evan Eschmeyer, who averages 20 points and 10 rebounds despite being double-, triple- and quadruple-teamed in the paint."
-- Chris Altruda, Sportsticker (January 29)
"He's the best center in the Big Ten, if not the country."
-- Purdue head coach Gene Keady (January 27)
Julian Bonner Making Strong Bid for
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
Senior guard Julian Bonner has drawn quite a few tough defensive assignments this season and could wind up being voted the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Already, he has held the nation's top two scorers in check. Ray Minlend of St. Francis, who currently leads the NCAA at 24.9 ppg, scored just 11 points on 3-of-12 shooting. Brian Merriweather of Texas Pan-Am, second in the NCAA at 24.5 ppg, scored just 14 points on 5-of-23 shooting.
Last Wednesday, alternating between UW's backcourt of Sean Mason and Ty Calderwood, Bonner helped keep the Badger duo to 7-of-25 (.280) from the field. They had entered the game shooting a combined .421 for the season.
Versus Michigan, he held Louis Bullock to just eight points on 2-of-11 shooting, and also snapped Bullock's streak of 45-straight games hitting a three pointer. Approximately 36 hours later, he held Penn State's Joe Crispin to 1-of-12 from the field. Among the other guards he's kept off the scoreboard were MSU's Mateen Cleaves (seven points, 2-9 FG) and Seton Hall's Shaheen Holloway (nine points, 3-10 FG).
Also, with his five assists against Indiana, Bonner moved into fourth in Wildcat history with 273 career assists. He surpassed Jim Stack (270) and Kevin Rankin (271). Michael Jenkins (342) is in third place.
The RPI and NCAA At-Large Bids
The Wildcats are by no means out of the hunt for an NCAA tournament bid. Here are a few facts from last year's official RPI. Keep in mind that the Big Ten is the No. 1-ranked conference in the country.
Two teams in the ACC last year (the top-ranked conference) received at-large berths to NCAAs despite sub-.500 conference marks. Clemson was 18-14, 7-9 ACC and had an RPI of 28. Florida State was 18-14, 6-10 ACC with an RPI of 39.
The lowest-rated at-large team last year was W. Mich. (58).
Eight at-large teams recorded 5-5 records down the stretch while Florida State was 3-7 in its final 10 games. NU is 5-5 in its last 10 games heading into the Illinois contest.
10 at-large teams had a nonconference strength of schedule between 163-290. NU's this season fits in there at 231.
Wildcat Freshman Trio Starting to Mature
Northwestern's freshman trio of David Newman, Steve Lepore and Tavaras Hardy continues to rank among the Wildcats leaders on the floor. The trio has combined for 36 percent of NU's scoring, 28 percent of the rebounding and 50 percent of NU's three-point field goals.
Newman currently leads the team in assists (2.8 apg) and is the team's second leading scorer (9.0 ppg). He has proven the ability to knock down the three-pointer, hitting six in last Saturday's game against Indiana. His 44 three-pointers is second on the team, behind Sean Wink's 49 treys. Newman has scored in double figures nine times this season.
Lepore, who started the first seven games of the season, moved back into the starting lineup on Saturday. He is fifth on the team in scoring (6.3 ppg) and is third on the team in rebounding (3.8 rpg). Lepore also has the ability to shoot from three-point range, knocking down five at Penn State and four versus Indiana. For the season, Lepore is third on the squad in three-pointers (33).
Hardy stands second on the team in rebounding (4.4 rpg) and fourth in scoring (7.2 ppg). He has tallied double-figure scoring six times this season, including both contests against Indiana.
Home Court Advantage
In Kevin O'Neill's two seasons as head coach, the Wildcats have made Welsh-Ryan Arena a tough place to play. NU has a 21-9 (.700) home court record under O'Neill, which is a marked improvement considering that, in the three seasons prior to O'Neill's arrival in Evanston, NU won just 14 home games. This marks the first time in school history that NU has recorded back-to-back seasons of 10-or-more home victories. Northwestern has never trailed at halftime in 15 home games this year.
Big Ten Stat Leaders
Here's where the 'Cats rank among the Big Ten and NCAA stat leaders (Big Ten as of Feb. 15, NCAA as of Feb. 15):
Individual - All Games
Scoring: Evan Eschmeyer - 3rd Big Ten, 31st NCAA (20.1 ppg) Rebounds: Evan Eschmeyer - 1st Big Ten, 5th NCAA (11.0 rpg) FG Pct.: Evan Eschmeyer - 1st Big Ten, 12th NCAA (.593) Double-Doubles: Evan Eschmeyer - 1st Big Ten, t3rd NCAA (13) FT Pct.: Evan Eschmeyer - 12th (.750) 3pt Made: Sean Wink - t7th (2.2 tpg) 3pt Pct.: Sean Wink - 7th (.386) Blocks: Evan Eschmeyer - 4th (1.8 bpg) Offensive Rebs: Evan Eschmeyer - 1st (3.7 orpg) Defensive Rebs: Evan Eschmeyer - 1st (7.2 drpg)Team - All Games
3pt Pct. Defense: 1st (.281) FG Pct. Defense: 1st Big Ten, 1st NCAA (.365) 3pt FG Made: t1st (7.1 tpg) Scoring Defense: 2nd Big Ten, 5th NCAA (55.9 ppg) 3pt Pct. Offense: 4th (.371) Blocked Shots: 4th (3.8 bpg) Assists: 4th (15.9 apg) Rebound Margin: 5th (+3.2 rpg)Big Ten Tournament Tickets Now on Sale
The Big Ten Conference office has placed a limited number of all-session tickets to the Big Ten Tournament on sale to the public. This is a special opportunity for Big Ten and college basketball fans to access men's basketball tournament tickets. Last year's inaugural Big Ten tournament was sold out, and this year's tournament at the United Center will also be sold out. Tickets can be purchased by phone or in person through any Ticketmaster outlet.
Letter-of-Intent Signees
During the November early signing period, the Wildcats signed five players to National Letters of Intent to begin playing basketball at NU next season:
Winston Blake (F, 6-5, 180, Plano, Texas/Plano Senior)
Brody Deren (F, 6-7, 223, Harlan, Iowa/Harlan Comm.)
Aaron Jennings (C, 6-11, 200, Atkins, Iowa/Benton Comm.)
Ben Johnson (G, 6-3, 180, Minneapolis, Minn./De La Salle)
Adam Robinson (F, 6-10, 210, Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls)
Johnson (No. 60) and Blake (No. 95) are each ranked among the top 100 players in the country by Bob Gibbons. Deren was "Southwest Iowa Player of the Year" as a junior, while Jennings and Robinson were both named All-Americans this season by various publications.
In Memoriam
The Wildcats will wear a patch on the left corner of their shorts for the remainder of the season bearing the initials "D.P." The patch is in memory of Don Pomeday, father of senior guard Nate Pomeday, who passed away on December 9.
The Kevin O'Neill Show
Once again this season, Fox Sports Chicago will air "The Kevin O'Neill Show." Dave Eanet, play-by-play announcer for NU football and basketball on WGN radio, hosts the half-hour show. The next show airs Wed., Feb. 24, at 2:30 p.m. CST.
Wildcat Season Bests
#4 Julian Bonner Points: 8 five times, last at Michigan State (1/30/99) Rebounds: 7 vs. UT-Pan American (1/23/99) Assists: 6 at Minnesota (1/6/99) and vs. Purdue (1/27/99) Steals: 4 vs. UT-Pan American (1/23/99)#4 Julian Bonner - Has started the past 14 games after coming off the bench in the first seven ... Candidate for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year ... Hit the game-winning three pointer against St. Francis with 0.4 seconds remaining on the clock ... Also hit a running jumper with 0.6 seconds left in overtime to defeat Penn State ... Ranks sixth in NU history with 266 career assists ... Needs four assists to move up to fourth all-time ... Ranks fifth in NU history with 97 career three pointers.#5 Joe Harmsen Points: 2 five times, last vs. Iowa (1/3/99) Rebounds: 4 three times, last at Seton Hall (12/19/98)
#10 Matt Kammrath Points: none Rebounds: 1 vs. UT-Pan American (1/23/99)
#11 Danny Allouche Points: 11 at Wisconsin (2/10/99) Rebounds: 5 vs. Long Beach State (12/27/98)
#14 Steve Lepore Points: 18 at Penn State (2/6/99) Rebounds: 12 vs. St. Francis (11/25/98) Assists: 5 vs. St. Francis (11/25/98) and Furman (11/28/98) Steals: 3 vs. Maine (11/17/98) 3pt. FG: 5 at Penn State (2/6/99)
#22 Sean Wink Points: 20 vs. Boston College (12/23/98) Rebounds: 5 vs. Furman (11/28/98) Assists: 4 at Seton Hall (12/19/98) 3pt. FG: 6 vs. Boston College (12/23/98)
#24 David Newman Points: 22 vs. Furman (11/28/98) Rebounds: 5 vs. Furman (11/28/98) Assists: 8 vs. Maine (11/17/98) 3pt. FG: 6 vs. Indiana (2/13/99)
#31 Nate Pomeday Points: 6 vs. UW-Milwaukee (12/14/98) Rebounds: 2 five times, last vs. UT-Pan American (1/23/99) 3pt. FG: 2 vs. UW-Milwaukee (12/14/98)
#32 Collier Drayton Points: none Rebounds: 3 vs. Oakland (11/21/98)
#33 Tavaras Hardy Points: 18 vs. Oakland (11/21/98) Rebounds: 10 vs. Oakland (11/21/98) Assists: 5 vs. Boston College (12/23/98)
#35 Aron Molnar Points: 10 at Michigan State (1/30/99) Rebounds: 7 vs. Penn State (1/20/99)
#42 Evan Eschmeyer Points: 29 vs. Michigan (2/4/99) Rebounds: 21 vs. Penn State (1/20/99) * also a Welsh-Ryan Arena record * Assists: 10 at Indiana (1/13/99) Blocks: 7 vs. Purdue (1/27/99)
#44 Jeff Eschmeyer Points: none Rebounds: 1 vs. UW-Milwaukee (12/14/98) and vs. Michigan (2/4/99)
#5 Joe Harmsen - Reserve power forward/center ... Grabbed season-high four rebounds against Oakland, Dayton and Seton Hall.
#10 Matt Kammrath - Walk-on ... Saw game action vs. Oakland, UWM, UT-Pan Am and Michigan this season ... Lone rebound came vs. UT-Pan Am.
#11 Danny Allouche - Tallied season-best 11 points, including three three-pointers, at Wisconsin ... Collected season-best five rebounds against Long Beach State ... Reserve forward ... Sat out last season after transferring from Missouri.
#14 Steve Lepore - Started the first seven games ... Moved back into the starting five versus Indiana on Feb. 13 ... Nailed five three-pointers in the win at Penn State ... Hit four three-pointers in the overtime loss to Indiana ... Hit a running jumper with eight seconds left against Penn State to send the game into overtime ... Hit both free throws with three seconds left to seal the win against No. 14 Purdue ... Also hit 3-of-4 free throws in the final 14 seconds to seal the win at Penn State.
#22 Sean Wink - NU's top three-point threat ... Has hit 135 career three pointers, second-most in NU history ... Hit six three-pointers against Boston College, tying his career best ... Also nailed five three-pointers against Long Beach State and four treys on four other occasions ... Set the NU single-season three-point mark (86) last season as a freshman.
#24 David Newman - Starting point guard as a true freshman ... Tallied a season-best 22 points and five rebounds against Furman ... Scored 18 points, on six three-pointers, against Indiana ... Dished eight assists in his collegiate debut against Maine ... Has come through in several clutch situations this season, especially from the free-throw line in the final minute.
#31 Nate Pomeday - Suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during the first half against Texas Pan-American ... Will undergo rehab as NU hopes to have him back in time for the Big Ten Tournament ... Reserve shooting guard ... Plays with a lot of heart and emotion ... One of the team's most vocal leaders ... Hit at least one three pointer in four of his last nine games, all coming off the bench.
#32 Collier Drayton - Extremely quick athlete ... Is a stronger defensive player than offensive ... Grabbed three rebounds in seven minutes against Oakland.
#33 Tavaras Hardy - Scored in double figures three of his first five collegiate games ... Tallied first career double-double (18p, 10r) vs. Oakland ... Has a nice outside touch from about 15 feet ... Had 13 points at Indiana, his highest point total since the Oakland game.
#35 Aron Molnar - Backup center ... Vastly improved in all facets of his game ... Tied his career best with seven boards against Penn State ... Posted season-best 10 points, on 5-of-9 shooting, at Michigan State ... Pulled down five rebounds in 15 minutes at Wisconsin and five boards in 10 minutes against Boston College ... Also had three boards in nine minutes against Dayton.
#42 Evan Eschmeyer - National Player of the Year candidate ... One of only two true centers on the midseason top candidate list for the Wooden Award ... Finalist for the Oscar Robertson Award ... The only player in Division I averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game ... Leads the Big Ten in three statistical categories (rebounds, field goal percentage, double-doubles) ... Tied for third in the NCAA with 13 double-doubles this season, including a triple-double at Indiana ... Has scored 20-or-more points in 10 games this season ... Enters the Illinois game having scored in double-figures 63-straight games ... Has 43 career double-doubles.
#44 Jeff Eschmeyer - Younger brother of Evan Eschmeyer ... Walked onto the squad last season ... Saw action against Oakland, UWM, UT-Pan Am and Michigan ... Tallied one rebound against UWM and Michigan.
Wildcat Career Bests
#4 Julian Bonner Points: 23 vs. Siena (11/22/97) Rebounds: 7 vs. DePaul (12/6/97) and vs. Texas Pan-American (1/23/99) Assists: 9 three times, last vs. Michigan State (1/31/98) Steals: 4 vs. Texas Pan-American (1/23/99)#5 Joe Harmsen Points: 21 at Wisconsin (1/29/97) Rebounds: 10 vs. Chicago State (1/27/98) and vs. Penn State (2/8/98)
#10 Matt Kammrath Points: 4 vs. Central Michigan (11/26/96) and Penn State (1/25/97) Rebounds: 1 five times, last vs. Texas Pan-Am. (1/23/99)
#11 Danny Allouche Points: 20 vs. Kansas State (2/1/97) Rebounds: 7 vs. Nebraska (1/22/97) Assists: 4 vs. Oklahoma State (2/13/96)
* all were recorded during career at Missouri
#14 Steve Lepore Points: 18 at Penn State (2/6/99) Rebounds: 12 vs. St. Francis (11/25/98) Assists: 5 vs. St. Francis (11/25/98) and Furman (11/28/98) Steals: 3 vs. Maine (11/17/98) 3pt. FG: 5 at Penn State (2/6/99)
#22 Sean Wink Points: 24 vs. Ohio State (2/21/98) Rebounds: 7 at Illinois (2/18/98) Assists: 4 four times, last vs. Texas Pan-Am. (1/23/99) 3pt. FG: 6 five times, last vs. Boston College (12/23/98)
#24 David Newman Points: 22 vs. Furman (11/28/98) Rebounds: 5 vs. Furman (11/28/98) Assists: 8 vs. Maine (11/17/98) 3pt. FG: 6 vs. Indiana (2/13/99)
#31 Nate Pomeday Points: 18 vs. Michigan State (2/19/97) Rebounds: 6 vs. Md.-Eastern Shore (11/29/97) 3pt. FG: 4 five times, last vs. Iowa (2/25/98) #32 Collier Drayton Points: none Rebounds: 3 vs. Oakland (11/21/98)
#33 Tavaras Hardy Points: 18 vs. Oakland (11/21/98) Rebounds: 10 vs. Oakland (11/21/98) Assists: 5 vs. Boston College (12/23/98)
#35 Aron Molnar Points: 12 at Illinois (1/10/98) Rebounds: 7 vs. Sam Houston State (11/26/97) and vs. Penn State (1/20/99)
#42 Evan Eschmeyer Points: 37 vs. Penn State (2/8/98) Rebounds: 21 vs. Penn State (1/20/99) * also a Welsh-Ryan Arena record * Assists: 10 at Indiana (1/13/99) Blocks: 7 vs. Purdue (1/27/99)
#44 Jeff Eschmeyer Points: 2 vs. Minnesota (1/7/98) Rebounds: 4 at Iowa (1/3/98)
