Wildcats to Open Season with Exhibition against Quincy

Thursday, October 31

Evanston, Ill.

7 P.M.

Northwestern

Quincy (EX.)

Photo by: S. J. Carrera, Inc.

Wildcats to Open Season with Exhibition against Quincy

10/30/2019 3:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball

NORTHWESTERN MEN'S BASKETBALL: GAMEDAY INFORMATION
DATE	OPPONENT	TIME	LOCATION	LIVE STREAM	LIVE STATS
Thursday, October 31	Quincy	7 p.m.	Welsh-Ryan Arena	BTN Plus	Sidearm
Social: Twitter (@NUMensBball) \| Instagram (@NUMensbball) \| Schedule

EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern begins its 2019-20 campaign on Thursday, Oct. 31 as they host an exhibition against Quincy in Welsh-Ryan Arena.

The Wildcats are beginning their seventh season under Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins, who last season became the fastest Wildcat coach to 100 wins in program history.

The 'Cats welcome eight newcomers to the roster, the most Chris Collins has had in his tenure as Northwestern's head coach. The incoming group is headlined by first-year Robbie Beran, who comes in as the third highest ranked recruit in Northwestern history, according to 247Sports.

Returning to the Northwestern lineup is senior A.J. Turner, who averaged 8.8 points per game in 2018-19 and was second on the team with 87 assists. The 'Cats will also welcome back junior Anthony Gaines, who contributed across the board last season with 6.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.

The last time the Wildcats met up with Quincy was in 2015, when the Hawks traveled to Evanston for an exhibition which the Wildcats won, 80-64.

STORYLINES

FRESH FACES: Northwestern welcomes eight newcomers to the program, the most Chris Collins has had in his tenure as Wildcat head coach. The group includes NU's third highest nationally ranked recruiting class in recorded history, according to 247Sports. Robbie Beran headlines the recruiting class, coming in as the third highest ranked recruit in Northwestern history. In addition to the strong first-year class, the 'Cats welcome in graduate transfer Pat Spencer, who played lacrosse as an undergraduate at Loyola-Maryland. Spencer is a four-time All-American and was the 2019 Tewaaraton Award Winner as the nation's top lacrosse player.

STEPPING INTO BIG SHOES: Despite graduating its top three scorers (Vic Law, Dererk Pardon, and Ryan Taylor), returners Miller Kopp and A.J. Turner combined for 22.5 points per game over the final four contests last season and finished third and fourth on the team in three-pointers made. The pair also contributed in creating offense for their teammates, with Turner dishing out 87 assists in 2018-19, good for second on the team, and Kopp adding another 26.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Northwestern has taken full advantage of its home court advantage throughout the Chris Collins era. The Wildcats have had a winning record at home in each of their last five seasons and have a 68-38 mark at home during Chris Collins' tenure. NU will begin its season with four-straight games at Welsh-Ryan Arena before heading to Florida for their first ever appearance in the Fort-Myers Tip Off.

QUOTEABLES

"As I look into my locker room now, it's a whole new group. For me that's very exciting. We have eight [first-years] and sophomores and it reminds me a lot of what we were trying to build when that McIntosh, Law, Pardon and Lindsey group started their journey. I feel good about our young talent and think we're on the right track towards our future."

-Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins on the newcomers

"I'm the most experienced guy, this is going to be my fifth year. It changes by just sharing my knowledge and experience that I have with the young guys and also transitioning into more of a leader … I played in the ACC for two years and this is going to be my second year playing in the Big Ten, so just having those experiences and knowing what we need to do to win games at this level."

-Senior A.J. Turner on his increased leadership role

"He's serious about basketball, it's been a passion of his, his whole life. It just happens that when you're the best in the world at something else you pursue that for a while. He's hungry to prove that he can play at the highest level. He's a terrific athlete, he's a tough-minded competitor, and when you're the best in the country at something there's an attitude you carry."

-Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins on Graduate Transfer Pat Spencer

"They're all super talented. They've really exceeded my expectations. They come in every day ready to learn. I know you probably hear that a lot but this [first-year] group is definitely the real deal and I'm excited to get out there and play with them. We've been playing pickup and that's different than an organized game, but they're all talented in their own way."

- Senior A.J. Turner on the first-year class