Northwestern University Athletics
Three Storylines to Watch: Northwestern vs. McKendree
11/1/2018 3:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Wildcats open the new Welsh-Ryan Arena Friday night with a sold-out exhibition against McKendree at 7 p.m. Here are three storylines to watch as the Wildcats battle the Bearcats for the first time since 2014.
1. Northwestern's new Welsh-Ryan Arena provides phenomenal upgrades for players, coaches, staff, and fans alike. Improvements were made to the seating, replacing wooden benches for seat-back chairs, as well as new locker rooms for men's basketball, women's basketball, and women's volleyball. Other additions include wider concourses, better lighting, renovated and expanded restrooms, improved accessibility for mobility-impaired individuals, and expanded concessions.
2. Three seniors comprise the 2018-19 captaincy role: Vic Law, Dererk Pardon, and Jordan Ash. This year will be Law and Pardon's second consecutive year as captains, while Ash takes on the leadership role for the first time. Pardon was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection last season by the media and currently leads the all-time Northwestern record book in field goal percentage with a .621 mark. Law, a 2016 Big Ten All-Defensive team selection, has averaged double-digit scoring in the last two years and leads all active Wildcats with 82 games started. Ash has appeared in 80 games over his Northwestern career and started four games last season.
3. Northwestern adds six new players to its roster this year, including a new recruiting class that ranks 33rd in the NCAA and includes two four-star players. Pete Nance, an Akron, Ohio native with family ties to the NBA, comes in as the highest-ranked recruit in Northwestern history. In addition to the talented recruits, the Wildcats welcome two transfers this year. A.J. Turner averaged 30.8 minutes per game during his sophomore year at Boston College, while shooting 37.4 percent from beyond the arc and averaging 8.4 points per game. Ryan Taylor, a graduate transfer from Evansville, led the Missouri Valley Conference in three-point percentage (42.4) and points per game (21.3) last season.
1. Northwestern's new Welsh-Ryan Arena provides phenomenal upgrades for players, coaches, staff, and fans alike. Improvements were made to the seating, replacing wooden benches for seat-back chairs, as well as new locker rooms for men's basketball, women's basketball, and women's volleyball. Other additions include wider concourses, better lighting, renovated and expanded restrooms, improved accessibility for mobility-impaired individuals, and expanded concessions.
2. Three seniors comprise the 2018-19 captaincy role: Vic Law, Dererk Pardon, and Jordan Ash. This year will be Law and Pardon's second consecutive year as captains, while Ash takes on the leadership role for the first time. Pardon was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection last season by the media and currently leads the all-time Northwestern record book in field goal percentage with a .621 mark. Law, a 2016 Big Ten All-Defensive team selection, has averaged double-digit scoring in the last two years and leads all active Wildcats with 82 games started. Ash has appeared in 80 games over his Northwestern career and started four games last season.
3. Northwestern adds six new players to its roster this year, including a new recruiting class that ranks 33rd in the NCAA and includes two four-star players. Pete Nance, an Akron, Ohio native with family ties to the NBA, comes in as the highest-ranked recruit in Northwestern history. In addition to the talented recruits, the Wildcats welcome two transfers this year. A.J. Turner averaged 30.8 minutes per game during his sophomore year at Boston College, while shooting 37.4 percent from beyond the arc and averaging 8.4 points per game. Ryan Taylor, a graduate transfer from Evansville, led the Missouri Valley Conference in three-point percentage (42.4) and points per game (21.3) last season.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
C
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballMen's Basketball - Purdue Postgame Press Conference (3/12/26)
Friday, March 13
Men's Basketball - Wildcats Fall to Boilermakers in Big Ten Tournament (3/12/26)
Friday, March 13
Men's Basketball - 'Cats Advance in Big Ten Tournament with 74-61 Win Over Indiana (3/11/26)
Thursday, March 12
Men's Basketball - Indiana Postgame Press Conference (3/11/26)
Thursday, March 12
