Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Ready to Run With Bulls
12/30/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 30, 2002
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EVANSTON, Ill. - With the new calendar rapidly approaching, and the Big Ten season nipping at its heels -- can it really be only nine days before Iowa comes to town for the conference opener? -- Northwestern head coach Bill Carmody can be excused if he would like to see a few New Year's resolutions when the clock strikes midnight a little more than 24 hours from now.
Resolved: fewer injuries. The Wildcats were put behind the eight-ball before the season even began with the loss of sophomore Vedran Vukusic. Then came an ankle injury that hobbled Winston Blake, and fellow senior Aaron Jennings has been battling shin splints all season long. Without any proven depth, the injury bug has tempered some elevated expectations.
Resolved: find some depth. Northwestern has gotten a nice lift from players coming off the bench in the last two games; Evan Seacat had 16 second-half points vs. UIC on Dec. 19, and three days later Davor Duvancic tallied a career-best 12 points and six rebounds in the place of an ailing Jennings. Such efforts from them and others will need to become the norm if the 'Cats are to succeed in the Big Ten.
Resolved: get the upperclassmen out of their slumps. Blake has scored in double figures two of the last three games, but his normally pure stroke has been off. Junior guard Jitim Young has been pressing of late, and for the first time in his NU career seems to be struggling. Jennings has three combined points in the last two games.
Resolved:let the freshmen keep growing. T.J. Parker and Jimmy Maley have been pleasant surprises, and their stock should only go up.
GAME 10 -- NORTHWESTERN (6-3) vs. Buffalo (3-5)
Date/Time: Monday, Dec. 30, 2002/7 p.m. CST
Site: Welsh-Ryan Arena (Evanston)
Capacity: 8,117
Television: none
Radio: WGN 720 AM (Dave Eanet, PBP; Bob Hildebrand, analyst)
(also on wgnradio.com)
