Northwestern University Athletics
Men's Basketball Set to Run With The Bulls
1/31/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 31, 2001
Game 21
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (7-13, 0-8)
vs. Buffalo (2-14, 0-9 MAC)
DATE/TIME: January 31, 2001/7 p.m.
SITE: Welsh-Ryan Arena (Evanston)
capacity: 8,117
TV: None
RADIO: WGN (720 AM)
These are the games that really give a head coach at this level gray hairs.
College basketball "experts" would tell you that Northwestern should win tonight's game against Buffalo. While the Wildcats are in desperate need of a win -- they have eight straight losses -- they are facing a Bulls team that staggers into Welsh-Ryan Arena with a 2-14 overall mark and is winless in the Mid-Atlantic Conference.
The fact that the game comes at exactly the midway point of the Big Ten season only exacerbates the situation for head coach Bill Carmody. After spending an entire month gearing his team up for rigorous Big Ten battles -- and coming off a wrenching loss to Michigan Saturday -- suddenly his players are looking at a non-conference opponent that has not won a game on the road since November 23, 1999.
How do you keep them focused on the task at hand instead of looking ahead to, for example, Saturday's Big Ten tilt at No. 6 Illinois? That is the unenviable task that has been put to Carmody and his staff for the last few days.
One goal: get the bench more involved. According to Stats, Inc., NU's starting five has averaged 77.4 percent of the minutes (and 77.1 percent of the scoring) per game this season.
Adding intrigue to the situation -- or more headaches, if you ask Coach Carmody -- is Jitim Young's finger. It was dislocated against Michigan, and though he will play tonight he may be hampered.
THE FUN FACT
With a win tonight, Northwestern will end the non-conference portion of its schedule with four straight wins. That would mark the longest season-ending, non-conference win streak since the 1993-94 team won all nine of its regular-season non-conference games en route to an NIT bid.
HEAD COACH BILL CARMODY
Bill Carmody is going for his 100th win as a head coach tonight. With a Wildcat win he will get it in his 138th game.
Carmody is in his first season at Northwestern after spending 18 years at Princeton University, the last four as head coach of the Tigers. While at the helm, Carmody guided the Tigers to an overall record of 92-25 (.786), an Ivy League mark of 50-6 (.893) and four postseason appearances. During his first season as head coach (1996-97), Carmody led the Tigers to a 24-4 record, the third-best first year mark for a Division I head coach in 30 years. Carmody followed that up with an even better sophomore campaign, when he directed Princeton to a 27-2 record, a Top 10 national ranking and the second round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament.
Carmody graduated from Union College (Schenectady, N.Y.) in 1975. A basketball standout, he led Union to a 59-11 record in three seasons as a starter. During his senior year, he captained his team and was named first-team All-ECAC as well as the school's Most Outstanding Athlete. Upon graduation, Carmody served as the head coach of Fulton-Montgomery Community College in New York, leading the team to a 17-10 record and a conference title. He returned to Union the following year as an assistant coach before heading to Princeton to be an assistant under the legendary Pete Carril in 1982.
THE SERIES WITH BUFFALO
Tonight's game marks the first meeting ever between the Wildcats and the Bulls.
THE TRIVIA TRIFECTA
* NU has a three-game non-conference win streak intact.
* Winston Blake is sixth on NU's single-season and eighth on NU's all-time 3-point list (61 single season, 78 all-time).
* Northwestern has a 1.12 assist-to-turnover ratio (113 assists/101 turnovers) in Big Ten games. Last year the 'Cats' ratio in conference play was 0.67 (188 assists/280 TO's).
THE PROBABLE LINEUP TONIGHT vs. BUFFALO
STARTERS
G -- Collier Drayton (#32) - Jr., 6-2, 185 - 5.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 34.3 mpg
G -- Jitim Young (#25) - Fr., 6-2, 185 - 8.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 27.7 mpg
F -- Ben Johnson (#5) - So., 6-2, 180 - 10.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 31.4 mpg
F -- Winston Blake (#3) - So., 6-5, 190 - 12.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 32.5 mpg
C -- Tavaras Hardy (#33) - Jr., 6-8, 225 - 9.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 29.2 mpg
OFF THE BENCH
Jason Burke (#30) - So., 6-6, 190 - 2.2 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 11.0 mpg
Aaron Jennings (#55) - So., 6-11, 210 - 5.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 15.8 mpg
Ed McCants (#44) - Fr. 6-2, 180 - 5.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 16.8 mpg
YOUTH SHALL BE SERVED
For the second year in a row, Northwestern boasts a roster with nary a senior to be found. In fact, the 10-player roster has just two juniors -- Collier Drayton and Tavaras Hardy -- to go with five sophomores and three freshmen. According to Stats, Inc., the Wildcats entered the week first in the nation in minutes played by freshmen and sophomores at 85.43 percent.
Do not assume it is an inexperienced group, though. Last year, the Wildcats led the nation in minutes played by freshmen and sophomores at a staggering 99.9 percent.
Another Stats, Inc., gem: NU is seventh youngest in terms of experience based on eligibility and minutes played (1.000 for freshmen, 4.000 for seniors). NU's average is 1.911.
GOTTA SHOOT 'EM TO MAKE 'EM
In the win against Evansville at the San Juan Shootout, NU tied a school record by making 14 three-point baskets. The Wildcats have also broken the school mark with 31 attempts twice this season -- vs. the Purple Aces, and Saturday night against Michigan.
According to Stats, Inc., the Wildcats entered the week eighth in the nation with 427 of its 1,015 field-goal attempts this season coming from beyond the arc (42.1 percent). In addition, NU is third in the Big Ten's overall stats averaging 6.94 treys made per game.
DEE-FENSE!
Currently, the Wildcats are fourth in the Big Ten in overall scoring defense, allowing 62.7 points per game. They are behind Wisconsin (56.4), Ohio State (60.3) and Michigan State (61.3).
TAKING MORE THAN THEY GIVE
Against Evansville on December 22, the Wildcats committed just seven turnovers, the lowest by an NU team since 11/26/97, when they had six in a 71-51 win over Sam Houston State. In Big Ten action, Northwestern has had just 10 turnovers against Ohio State, Michigan State, Purdue and last Saturday against Michigan. That marks the fewest in a conference game since the 'Cats had eight against the Nittany Lions on 3/4/99.
SHARE THE WEALTH
Another staple among Coach Carmody's teams is how many baskets come directly off a pass. Take last week, for example: against Michigan State, 16 of Northwestern's 19 field goals came directly off a pass, and on Saturday against Michigan the Wildcats had 20 assists on 24 baskets. According to Stats, Inc., Northwestern entered the week sixth nationally with 67.5 percent of its field goals coming off an assist (282 of 418). Among the highlights: 19 assists on 21 field goals against Vermont, and 25 assists on 28 field goals against Mississippi Valley State.
A PAIR OF THIEVES
Northwestern has two players among the Big Ten Conference's overall steal leaders. Jitim Young -- who had four vs. Michigan -- averages 1.45 steals per game and is sixth, while Collier Drayton averages 1.30 per game which ties him for 12th.
BOMBS AWAY
Sophomore guard Winston Blake tied Todd Leslie's single-game record with seven 3-pointers Saturday against Michigan, giving him 61 treys already this season. That is more than triple what he had for all of last year (17) and already puts him sixth on NU's single-season list. He is first in the Big Ten in 3-pointers per game (conference only) with 3.50. Blake has had three other games with five treys this season (Mississippi Valley State, La Salle, Penn State).
`T' -- AS IN TREMENDOUS
Junior center Tavaras Hardy was named to the all-tournament team at the San Juan (P.R.) Shootout from December 20-22, scoring 42 points and snaring 16 boards as the Wildcats went 2-1 and took fifth place. He led all scorers with 18 points against Kent State, and followed that up with a 16-point performance in NU's win over Iona. He went 8-of-9 from the field in the KSU game, then 8-of-9 from the foul line vs. the Gaels.
One week later, Hardy was Big Ten Co-Player of the Week. He had 20 points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots and two steals as NU defeated No. 16 USC, 63-61. It was Northwestern's first win over a ranked opponent since a 54-50 win over No. 14 Purdue on January 27, 1999.
NORTHWESTERN PLAYERS IN THE BIG TEN STATS
ALL GAMES
Scoring: 20 -- Winston Blake, 12.7
Rebounding: 16 -- Tavaras Hardy, 5.8
Assists: 13 -- Collier Drayton, 3.20
Steals: 6 -- Jitim Young, 1.45, t-12 -- Collier Drayton, 1.30
3-pt. FG Pct.: 10 -- Winston Blake, 40.9
3-pt. FG: 2 -- Winston Blake, 3.05
Blocks: 12 -- Tavaras Hardy, 1.05
Assist/TO Ratio: 15 -- Collier Drayton, 1.33
Defensive Rebounds: 15 -- Tavaras Hardy, 3.85
CONFERENCE GAMES ONLY
Scoring: 14 -- Winston Blake, 13.9
Rebounding: 19 -- Tavaras Hardy, 5.9
Steals: 4 -- Jitim Young, 1.63
FT Pct.: 13 -- Aaron Jennings, 79.2
3-pt. FG Pct.: 7 -- Winston Blake, 42.4
3-pt. FG: 1 -- Winston Blake, 3.50
Blocks: t-15 -- Aaron Jennings & Tavaras Hardy, 0.88
Defensive Rebounds: t-15 -- Tavaras Hardy, 4.13
NORTHWESTERN PLAYER BIOS (the eight regulars)
#3 -- WINSTON BLAKE
Soph., F/G, Plano, Texas/Plano Senior
Starter in all 20 games ... Leads team, 20th in Big Ten with 12.7 points per game (13.9/14th in Big Ten), and has led team in scoring in eight games ... Double-figure scorer in 14 games ... Leads Big Ten in conference 3-pointers per game (3.50) ... Second in the Big Ten in overall 3-point field goals made (61) and 3-pointers per game (3.05) ... Has three or more 3-pointers in 12 games this season ... Second on the team averaging 32.5 minutes per game ... Third on the team with 19 steals ... Led team with career-high 23 points, tied a school record with seven 3-pointers vs. Michigan (1/27) ... Had five 3-pointers on six attempts en route to team-high 17 points vs. Penn State (1/13) ... Also had five 3-pointers in back-to-back games vs. Mississippi Valley State (12/2) and La Salle (12/10) ... Had four 3-pointers against St. Peter's (12/13), Evansville (12/22), Ohio State (1/3) and Michigan State (1/10) ... Led team with 13 points and had four 3-pointers vs. Michigan State (1/10) ... Had 22 points to lead all scorers at Ohio State (1/3) ... Led team with 16 points and had four 3-pointers vs. Evansville (12/22) ... Led team with 15 points, all on treys, at La Salle (12/10) ... Also led team in scoring with 15 points against both Maryland-Eastern Shore (11/22) and Vermont (11/25).
#5 -- BEN JOHNSON
Soph., G/F, Minneapolis, Minn./De La Salle
Starter in all 20 games ... Second on the team in scoring, averaging 10.3 ppg, and has led team in scoring in four games ... Double-figure scorer in 10 games ... Third on the team with 44 assists ... Second on the team with 3.9 rebounds per game ... Had 19 points, four rebounds and four assists vs. Michigan (1/27) ... Had team-high 11 points, tied for team lead with four rebounds vs. Illinois (1/17) ... Had 16 points and team-high eight rebounds at Penn State (1/13) ... Led team with eight rebounds against Vermont (11/25) and Evansville (12/22), and with seven against La Salle (12/10) ... Third on the team in minutes played, averaging 31.3 ... Led team in scoring with 16 points in season opener against Arkansas-Little Rock (11/18) ... Led team with 14 points at Clemson in ACC/Big Ten Challenge (11/28) ... Led team with 22 points against St. Peter's ... Had 13 points and established career high with eight assists and committed just one turnover in win over No. 16 USC, playing all 40 minutes.
#25 -- JITIM YOUNG
Fr., G, Chicago, Ill./Gordon Tech
Starter in all 20 games ... Fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 8.0 ppg ... Third on the team with 3.7 rebounds per game ... Second on the team with 45 assists ... Leads team, sixth in the Big Ten with 29 steals (1.45 spg) ... Fourth in Big Ten in conference steals per game (1.63) ... Collected four assists and four steals vs. Michigan (1/27) ... Scored 10 points, dished out five assists vs. Michigan State (1/24) ... Tied for team lead with nine rebounds at Purdue (1/20), added three assists and two steals ... Had 10-point games against Illinois (1/17) and Purdue (1/6) ... Led team with 21 points, going 7-of-10 from the field, and added seven rebounds, five assists and three steals vs. Mississippi Valley State (12/2) ... Had 11 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals vs. St. Peter's (12/13) ... Led team in rebounding with seven vs. Arkansas-Little Rock (11/18), seven vs. Mississippi Valley State (12/2), six vs. St. Peter's (12/13) and six vs. Iona (12/21).
#30 -- JASON BURKE
Soph., F, Plano, Texas/Plano East
Played in 18 of 20 games ... Scored seven points in seven minutes vs. Michigan State (1/24) ... Played season-high 22 minutes at Purdue, with three points and three rebounds (1/20) ... Scored seven points (3-3 FG) in 13 minutes vs. Mississippi Valley State (12/2) ... Scored six points, all from the free-throw line, and added three assists vs. St. Peter's (12/13) ... Had back-to-back five-point games against Pepperdine (12/16) and Kent State (12/20) ... Led team with five rebounds and added three assists in win over No. 16 USC (12/27).
#32 -- COLLIER DRAYTON
Jr., G, Lyons, N.Y./Lyons
Played in all 20 games, starting all but the season opener ... Leads team with 64 assists and 26 steals ... Leads team with 34.3 minutes played per game ... Tied for 12th in the Big Ten in overall steals per game (1.30) and 13th in overall assists per game (3.20) ... 15th in the Big Ten in overall assist-to-turnover ratio (1.33) ... Had 10 points and five rebounds at Purdue (1/20) ... Had four assists and four steals at Penn State (1/13) ... Scored nine points, added four rebounds and three assists on a severely sprained ankle vs. Purdue (1/6) ... Established new career highs with 13 points and four 3-pointers at Pepperdine (12/16) ... Matched those totals against Evansville (12/22) ... Scored nine points in wins over Iona (12/21) and USC (12/27) ... Had career-high eight assists against three turnovers vs. Mississippi Valley State (12/2).
#33 - TAVARAS HARDY
Jr., C, Joliet, Ill./Providence
Starter in all 20 games ... Third on the team in scoring with 9.9 ppg (11.0 in Big Ten) ... Leads team, 16th in Big Ten in overall rebounding with 5.8 boards per game ... Leads team, 12th in Big Ten with 21 blocked shots overall ... Leads team with 62 FT made ... Had 10 points, team-high six boards and five assists vs. Michigan (1/27) ... Led team with 17 points and four rebounds vs. Michigan State (1/24) ... Had nine points and tied for team lead with nine boards at Purdue (1/20) ... Had 13 points, six rebounds, two blocks at Penn State (1/13) ... Had 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks against Purdue (1/6) ... Named Big Ten Co-Player of the Week after 20-point outing vs. USC (12/27) ... Named to San Juan (P.R.) Shootout All-Tournament Team ... Began tournament with 18 first-half points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field vs. Kent State (12/20), then scored 16 and went 8-of-9 from the foul line in a win over Iona (12/21) before adding eight more in a win over Evansville (12/22) ... Also totaled 16 rebounds in the three games and had four blocked shots against Kent State ... Had only Wildcat double-double to date with 10 points and a career-high 14 rebounds at Pepperdine (12/16) ... Has led team in rebounding five times this season.
#44 -- ED McCANTS
Fr., G, Marion, Ohio/Marion Catholic
Played in all 20 games ... Averaging 5.0 points and 16.8 minutes per game off the bench ... Second on the team with 22 three-point FG made ... Had eight points and five rebounds at Penn State (1/13) ... Had 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting from 3-point land and added five rebounds and two assists in 19 minutes vs. Vermont (11/25) ... Had 11 points, three rebounds and three steals vs. Kent State (12/20) ... Followed that up with 11 points and five boards vs. Iona (12/21) and 10 points and three boards vs. Evansville (12/22) ... Snared season-high seven rebounds in homecoming game at Ohio State (1/3).
#55 -- AARON JENNINGS
Soph., C, Atkins, Iowa/Benton Community
Played in all 20 games, starting the season opener against Arkansas-Little Rock ... Averaging 8.6 ppg in Big Ten games ... 13th in the Big Ten in free-throw percentage (conference only) at 79.2 percent ... Tied for 15th in Big Ten with 0.88 blocks per game in conference play ... Had eight points and three assists vs. Michigan State (1/24) ... Led team with 13 points in 17 minutes at Purdue (1/20) ... Led team with 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots vs. Purdue (1/6) ... Scored 12 points, all in the second half, and added three rebounds and three steals vs. Ohio State (1/3) ... Had nine points, including two 3-pointers, along with three rebounds and two blocked shots at Michigan State (1/10) ... Had nine points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals against St. Peter's (12/13) ... Had nine points, five boards and two blocked shots vs. Vermont (11/25).
