Northwestern University Athletics
Three Storylines to Watch: Northwestern vs. No. 5 Michigan
12/3/2018 3:06:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Three storylines to watch during Northwestern's Big Ten home opener against No. 5 Michigan…
FEED THE BIG MAN: Senior center Dererk Pardon exploded for one of the best performances of his career in Assembly Hall on Saturday afternoon with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Pardon shot 11-for-15 from the field against Indiana for the second-highest scoring total of his career and recorded his fourth double-double of the season. Pardon's field goal percentage of 62.5 percent through eight games ranks third in the Big Ten and his 4.5 offensive rebounds per game rank first in the conference and third in the country.
SHARP-SHOOTERS: Redshirt junior A.J. Turner is second in the conference in free throw percentage with a mark of 87.9 percent, coming on a 29-for-33 clip from the stripe. Senior Vic Law is also shooting a career-best 44.7 percent from behind the arc this season with 17 makes on 38 shots. Out of all shooters in the Big Ten taking at least four triples per games, Law's accuracy ranks ninth.
WELCOMING THE WOLVERINES: Northwestern has won its last two home matchups against Michigan, who comes into Welsh-Ryan Arena with an 8-0 record. The Wildcats handed Michigan their last regular season loss at Allstate Arena this past February, taking down the then-No. 20 Wolverines, 61-52. The last time Michigan played in Evanston was a memorable night for the Wildcats, who won 67-65 on a Dererk Pardon buzzer-beater, which helped propel Northwestern to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017.
FEED THE BIG MAN: Senior center Dererk Pardon exploded for one of the best performances of his career in Assembly Hall on Saturday afternoon with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Pardon shot 11-for-15 from the field against Indiana for the second-highest scoring total of his career and recorded his fourth double-double of the season. Pardon's field goal percentage of 62.5 percent through eight games ranks third in the Big Ten and his 4.5 offensive rebounds per game rank first in the conference and third in the country.
SHARP-SHOOTERS: Redshirt junior A.J. Turner is second in the conference in free throw percentage with a mark of 87.9 percent, coming on a 29-for-33 clip from the stripe. Senior Vic Law is also shooting a career-best 44.7 percent from behind the arc this season with 17 makes on 38 shots. Out of all shooters in the Big Ten taking at least four triples per games, Law's accuracy ranks ninth.
WELCOMING THE WOLVERINES: Northwestern has won its last two home matchups against Michigan, who comes into Welsh-Ryan Arena with an 8-0 record. The Wildcats handed Michigan their last regular season loss at Allstate Arena this past February, taking down the then-No. 20 Wolverines, 61-52. The last time Michigan played in Evanston was a memorable night for the Wildcats, who won 67-65 on a Dererk Pardon buzzer-beater, which helped propel Northwestern to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017.
••••••
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
Men'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
