Northwestern University Athletics
Men's Basketball Goes After Gophers Tonight
2/6/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 6, 2001
Men's Basketball Game 23
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (8-14, 0-9)
vs. Minnesota (15-7, 3-6)
DATE/TIME: February 6, 2001/8:30 p.m.
SITE: Welsh-Ryan Arena (Evanston)
capacity: 8,117
TV: espn2
RADIO: WGN (720 AM), WNUR (89.3 FM)
It was simply a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
On Saturday, the Wildcats got to face an Illinois team whose danger was two-fold. The Illini were not only coming off a shocking overtime loss at Penn State in their previous game, but they were also looking to sending a message for tonight's showdown with Michigan State.
As such, Northwestern was up against it from the start. The Illini's Frank Williams banged a 3-pointer on the first possession of the game, and that snowball turned into an avalanche as Illinois hit nine treys before halftime.
In the paint, Marcus Griffin joined Brian Cook after missing the first meeting with the 'Cats. His presence was felt early on, in the form of five blocked shots by the break.
There were positives to pull from the loss, though. Ben Johnson had another stellar game, with 13 points and five steals. Freshman Jitim Young continued his strong play of late, with 11 points. And Tavaras Hardy was again workmanlike in his play, with eight points, three assists and two steals.
The Wildcats are now in the single-game portion of the Big Ten schedule. After tonight's only 2001 meeting with the Gophers, they host Iowa Saturday before hitting the road for their only matchups this season with Indiana and Wisconsin.
Northwestern's game with the Hawkeyes on Saturday will start at 1:30 p.m. and be part of ESPN's Regional package.
THE NU LINEUP FOR TONIGHT
*STARTERS*
G -- Collier Drayton (#32) - Jr., 6-2, 185 - 5.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 34.3 mpg
77 assists lead team
G -- Jitim Young (#25) - Fr., 6-2, 185 - 8.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 28.5 mpg
Double figures 4 of 6 games
F -- Ben Johnson (#5) - So., 6-2, 180 - 10.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 31.8 mpg
48 points in last three games
F -- Winston Blake (#3) - So., 6-5, 190 - 12.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 31.6 mpg
seven 3's vs. Michigan on 1/27
C -- Tavaras Hardy (#33) - Jr., 6-8, 225 - 10.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 29.2 mpg
10 pts, 8 rbs last year vs. Minn.
*OFF THE BENCH*
Jason Burke (#30) - So., 6-6, 190 - 2.8 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 11.7 mpg
11 pts vs. Illinois was season high
Aaron Jennings (#55) - So., 6-11, 210 - 5.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 15.8 mpg
8.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg in Big Ten games
Ed McCants (#44) - Fr., 6-2, 180 - 4.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 16.4 mpg
22 treys 2nd on team
THE FUN FACT
According to Stats, Inc., the Northwestern starters play 77.64 percent of the minutes per game. That is tied for 18th among the Division I teams in the NCAA. The school that the Wildcats are tied with? Their neighbors within the Chicago city limits, DePaul.
THE TRIVIA TRIFECTA
* Jitim Young has double figures in four of the last six games.
* Winston Blake is sixth on NU's single-season and seventh on NU's all-time 3-point list (64 single season, 81 all-time).
* Tavaras Hardy is tied for 10th on NU's single-season and is fifth on NU's all-time blocked shot list (24 single season, 66 all-time).
HEAD COACH BILL CARMODY
Bill Carmody earned his 100th win as a head coach on January 31 against Buffalo. He got No. 100 in his 138th game as a head coach.
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 MINNESOTA
Today's game marks the 140th meeting between the Wildcats and the Golden Gophers, with Minnesota leading 89-50. These two teams met just once during the 1999-2000 season, as the Gophers took a 69-60 decision in Minneapolis. The teams split two meetings in 1998-99, with the road team winning each time (NU 58-55 in Minneapolis, Minnesota 58-51 in Evanston).
Tonight marks the only meeting between these teams this season.
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 85.4 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 1.914.
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 January 27 against Michigan.
According to Stats, Inc., the Wildcats entered the week 10th in the nation with 467 of its 1,119 field-goal attempts this season coming from beyond the arc (41.7 percent). In addition, NU is second in the Big Ten's overall stats averaging 7.05 treys made per game.
DEE-FENSE!
Currently, the Wildcats are fourth in the Big Ten in overall scoring defense, allowing 63.6 points per game. They are behind Wisconsin (55.7), Ohio State (61.0) and Michigan State (61.1).
TAKING MORE THAN THEY GIVE
In Big Ten play this year, Northwestern has committed 116 turnovers and forced 116 turnovers. While the 0.00 turnover margin is only seventh among Big Ten team, compare NU's numbers to a year ago when their margin was -3.44. The Wildcats have had just 10 turnovers against Ohio State, Michigan State, Purdue and Michigan. That marks the fewest in a conference game since the 'Cats had eight against Penn State on 3/4/99.
SHARE THE WEALTH
Another staple among Coach Carmody's teams is how many baskets come directly off a pass. Take the last three home games, for example: against Michigan State, Michigan and Buffalo, 58 of Northwestern's 71 total field goals came directly off a pass. According to Stats, Inc., Northwestern entered the week sixth nationally with 68.5 percent of its field goals coming off an assist (317 of 463). In addition, Northwestern boasts a 1.09 assist/turnover ratio in Big Ten play this year (126 assists/116 turnovers) which is fourth in the conference. Compare that to a year ago, when the 'Cats' ratio was 0.67 (188 assists/280 turnovers) in conference play.
A PAIR OF THIEVES
Northwestern has two players among the Big Ten Conference's overall steal leaders. Jitim Young averages 1.55 steals per game and is tied for fifth in the conference, while Collier Drayton averages 1.27 per game which places him 12th.
BOMBS AWAY
Sophomore guard Winston Blake tied Todd Leslie's single-game record with seven 3-pointers on January 27 against Michigan, and has 64 treys this season which puts him sixth on NU's single-season list. He is second in the Big Ten in 3-pointers per game in all games (2.91) and conference play (3.22). Blake has also had five-trey games against Mississippi Valley State, La Salle and Penn State this year.
`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.
THE NU PLAYER BIOS (the eight regulars)
#3 -- Winston Blake
Soph., F/G, Plano, Texas/Plano Senior
Starter in all 22 games ... Leads team, 20th in Big Ten with 12.1 points per game (12.7/14th in Big Ten games), and has led team in scoring eight times ... Double-figure scorer in 15 games ... Second in the Big Ten in overall 3-pointers per game (3.00) ... Leads Big Ten in 3-pointers per game in conference play (3.50) ... Second on the team averaging 31.8 minutes per game ... 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 22 games ... Second on the team in scoring, averaging 10.7 ppg, and has led team in scoring in five games ... Double-figure scorer in 12 games ... Second on the team with 50 assists ... Tied for second on the team with 3.8 rebounds per game ... Led team with 13 points, added career-high five steals at Illinois (2/3) ... Scored 16 points, dished out five assists vs. Buffalo (1/31) ... 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 22 games ... Fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 8.5 ppg ... Tied for second on the team with 3.8 rebounds per game ... Third on the team with 49 assists ... Leads team, fifth in the Big Ten with 34 steals (1.54 spg) ... Scored 11 points, tied for team high with four rebounds at Illinois (2/3) ... Had 16 points, six boards, four steals vs. Buffalo (1/31) ... 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 20 of 22 games ... Scored season-high 11 points in 18 minutes at Illinos (2/3) ... Had five points and three rebounds vs. Buffalo (1/31) ... 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 22 games, starting all but the season opener ... Leads team with 77 assists against 54 turnovers ... Leads team with 34.3 minutes played per game ... Tied for 11th in the Big Ten in steals per game (1.23) and 13th in assists per game (3.50) ... Had career-high nine assists against just one turnover, snared seven rebounds against Buffalo (1/31) ... 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 22 games ... Third on the team in scoring with 10.3 ppg (10.7 in Big Ten) ... Leads team, 16th in Big Ten in rebounding with 5.7 boards per game ... Leads team, 11th in Big Ten with 24 blocked shots ... Leads team with 75 FT made ... Scored season-best 21 points, had eight boards vs. Buffalo (1/31) ... 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 21 of 22 games ... Averaging 4.9 points and 16.4 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 22 games, starting the season opener against Arkansas-Little Rock ... Averaging 8.4 ppg in Big Ten games ... Scored seven points, tied for team high with four rebounds at Illinois (2/3) ... 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).
