Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Host Minnesota Wednesday in Search of Season Split
2/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 5, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Northwestern tries to earn a season split with Minnesota on Wednesday as the teams square off at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. The game is being televised live by Big Ten Network with Brent Stover and Shon Morris on the call. Despite the inclement weather, the game is going on as scheduled.
The game can also be heard on WGN Radio (720 AM) with Dave Eanet and Nate Pomeday.
Series History: Minnesota leads, 95-57. The Golden Gophers have won the last two meetings, following a six-game win streak by the Wildcats.
Last Meeting: Dan Coleman had 19 points and 14 boards and Minnesota used a 22-2 first-half run en route to a 82-63 win in Minneapolis Jan. 9.
Last Time Out
Eric Gordon scored 29 points and D.J. White added 26 points and 13 rebounds as 11th-ranked Indiana pulled away in the closing minutes to beat Northwestern 75-63 Sunday at Assembly Hall. NU never led but twice rallied from eight-point deficits and cut Indiana's lead to 52-50 with under 12 minutes to go. The Wildcats, who shot 64 percent in the first half, then went cold and did not get another field goal until a 3-pointer by Michael Thompson with just over two minutes remaining. Gordon, who had 17 points in the first half, had eight points during a 14-2 run that broke the game open. Craig Moore led the Wildcats with 17 points and five assists, and Jeremy Nash and Kevin Coble added 12 points apiece. Nash scored on a fast break with a second remaining to get NU within 40-37 at halftime. Northwestern closed within two points four times early in the second half before the Hoosiers began pulling away for good.
Nash Pitches In
After battling injuries throughout the early portions of the season, sophomore guard Jeremy Nash has become a regular part of the rotation recently. His best performance so far came Sunday at Indiana when played a career-high 27 minutes and scored a career-best 12 points. Ten of Nash's points came in the first half during which he connected on all four of his field goal attempts, including two from 3-point range. He entered the game having scored a total of 19 points in his first eight appearances this season.
Scouting Minnesota
• The Golden Gophers (13-7, 3-5) have dropped three of their last four, including a 63-47 home loss Sunday to Wisconsin. Lawrence Westbrook paced Minnesota, which shot just 36 percent from the field, with 11 points.
• Senior forward Dan Coleman leads Minnesota with averages of 13.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
•The Golden Gophers lead the Big Ten with an average of 10.45 steals per game, a mark that is two more than the next closest team (Northwestern). Minnesota is also first with a +4.45 turnover margin.
•Head coach Tubby Smith earned his 400th career win at Michigan on Jan. 31.
Up Next...
Northwestern heads back out on the road Saturday as it travels to No. 10/11 Michigan State for a 6 p.m. Central time tip. The game is being televised by Big Ten Network.
