Vic LawVic Law

Northwestern Set to Take On Illinois

NORTHWESTERN BASKETBALL: GAME DAY INFORMATION
DATE OPPONENT TIME LOCATION TELEVISION LIVE STATS
Sunday, Jan. 6 Illinois 12 p.m. The New Welsh-Ryan Arena
Evanston, Ill.		 BTN Sidearm
Radio: WGN Radio AM-720 (Dave Eanet and Nate Taphorn)
Social: Twitter (@NUMensBball) | Instagram (@numensbball) | Facebook
Notes: Northwestern | Illinois

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern (9-5) will play its second Big Ten home game of the season on Sunday afternoon as the Wildcats host Illinois (4-10) at the new Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m.
 
The last time NU battled Illinois, the 'Cats eked out a hard-fought overtime victory, dispatching the Fighting Illini, 72-68, at Allstate Arena on December 1, 2017. Senior forward Vic Law was six-of-11 from the field in the contest, finishing with 16 points.
 
Northwestern seeks to improve its home prowess this year as the Wildcats are 7-2 at the new Welsh-Ryan Arena. NU's two home setbacks have been an overtime loss to Oklahoma and a two-point loss to a top-five Michigan team.
 
STORYLINES TO WATCH
 
THANKS FOR THE HELP!: NU has been able to effectively move and share the ball on the offensive side this year: NU has assisted on 64.4 percent (225-of-349) of its made field goals this season. That mark is in the upper echelons of college basketball — it ranks sixth nationally and second in the Big Ten, trailing only Michigan State.
 
KEEPING IT UNDER: In Northwestern's last nine games (since November 28), opponents have scored under their scoring average coming into the contest. NU has held their opposition to just 63 points per game, a top-30 mark in the nation and the fourth-best average in the Big Ten.
 
BIG TIME IN THE BIG TEN: The Wildcats have relied on seniors Dererk Pardon and Vic Law through three games of Conference play. Pardon is averaging 21.0 points per game in B1G contests, the third-best Conference clip, thanks in part to shooting 72.5 percent from the field. Law is averaging 13.3 points per game and averages 2.3 triples per game.
   
QUOTABLES
 
"We've been a team that has really fought all season long. … There's a lot of basketball left to be played in the season."
  • Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins on his outlook
 
"We have to embrace the process of preparation for these games. We have to understand with each of these games — the physicality, the intensity, how every possession matters."
  • Collins on the team's mindset and growth
 
"We know what Dererk Pardon is going to do night-in and night-out. He's going to battle. He's going to give you everything he's got."  
 

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