Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Head to Breslin Center This Weekend
2/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 14, 2003
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EVANSTON, Ill. - If Wednesday's 11-point win over Purdue did anything for the Northwestern men's basketball team, it did this.
It provided validation.
The Wildcats' victory seemed to compile all the elements of how dangerous this team can be when they are hitting on all cylinders. For example...
* Five players scored in double figures, while another had nine points, emphasizing that aspect of NU's offense.
* NU had 19 assists on its 23 baskets, again symbolic of the team concept that is so important to the system.
* The 'Cats hit 10 three-pointers and also got myriad backdoor layups, forcing Purdue to pick its poison defensively; do you get out on the shooters and give up the inside stuff, or help out inside and give up the trey?
The idea that NU head coach Bill Carmody prefers a methodical game may have been temporarily squashed, as well. In the Wildcats' two wins they have scored 74 and 78 points. The message: they will run if the opportunity is there.
"Winning on Wednesday was important for us, especially the players," said Carmody. "You win once, like we did against Indiana, and a lot of people can dismiss it. But if you come back and beat the top team in the league, then your guys know they can beat anyone."
Today's game is the only regular-season meeting between NU and MSU.
GAME 22 -- Northwestern (10-11, 2-8) at Michigan State (13-9, 5-5)
Date/Time: Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003/3 p.m. EST
Site: Breslin Center (East Lansing, Mich.)
Capacity: 14,759
Television: ESPN Plus (WCIU in Chicago)
(Wayne Larrivee, PBP; Greg Kelser, analyst)
Radio: WGN 720 AM (also on wgnradio.com)
(Dave Eanet, PBP; Bob Hildebrand, analyst)
