NU Ready to Host Ohio State on Wednesday

3/5/2019 4:36:00 PM | Men's Basketball

NORTHWESTERN BASKETBALL: GAME DAY INFORMATION
DATE	OPPONENT	TIME	LOCATION	TELEVISION	LIVE STATS
Wednesday, March 6	Ohio State	8:00 p.m.	Welsh-Ryan Arena	BTN	Sidearm
Radio: WGN Radio AM-720 (Dave Eanet and Joey Meyer) Social: Twitter (@NUMensBball) \| Instagram (@numensbball) \| Facebook Notes: Northwestern \| Ohio State

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern returns to the new Welsh-Ryan Arena for the last two contests of the regular season. The Wildcats host Ohio State in its penultimate matchup Wednesday, with tip-off set for 8 p.m. CT.

The 'Cats are returning home following their final road game of the season. Against Illinois, four Wildcats scored in double figures, including a team-high 16 points from senior Dererk Pardon. First-year Miller Kopp added 13 points, marking his first time scoring double-digits in a Big Ten game.

The Buckeyes come into the matchup 18-11 on the campaign and 8-10 in conference play. They will be looking to bounce back after dropping two of their last three games.

STORYLINES TO WATCH

GOOD KOPP: In just his first start since January 9th, Miller Kopp scored 13 points including a sequence where he scored back-to-back-to-back buckets for the Wildcats. Kopp also contributed clutch three-pointers and free-throws against Illinois, proving himself as a young and exciting forward for Northwestern.

BIG-TIME HEART: Despite measuring as the Wildcats' third-shortest player, Anthony Gaines is third on the team and almost averages five rebounds per game. Gaines is top ten in rebounding among guards in the Big Ten and has established himself as an all-around contributor to the Wildcats.

EIGHTY-TWO: Dererk Pardon has made 82 consecutive starts for the Wildcats, a streak which has spanned three seasons. Pardon's consistency extends to his performances, as Pardon has scored double-digit points in 25 of Northwestern's 29 games this year. Pardon is also second all-time in Wildcats history with 147 career blocks.

QUOTABLES

"I thought our spacing was good and we were getting open shots all night; one half we could not anything and the other half we almost scored 50 points. I was really proud with how we took care of the ball and played in the second half."
— Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins on his team's performance vs. Illinois

"Vic and Dererk have been consistent scorers for us, but we have been trying to get other guys involved. To have Miller Kopp, Ryan Taylor and A.J. Turner score in double-digits was big for us. They provided extra offensive opportunities and bright spots tonight."
— Collins on the team spreading the ball

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