Wildcats Set To Tip-Off 2020-21 Season vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Wednesday, December 2

Evanston, Ill.

8 pm CT

Northwestern

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Wildcats Set To Tip-Off 2020-21 Season vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

12/1/2020 10:37:00 AM | Men's Basketball

NORTHWESTERN MEN'S BASKETBALL: GAMEDAY INFORMATION
DATE	Opponent	TIME	LOCATION	Television	Live Stats
Wednesday, Dec. 2	Arkansas-Pine Bluff	8 pm CT	Evanston, Ill. (Welsh-Ryan Arena)	Big Ten Network	Live Stats
Radio: WGN 720 Social: Twitter: @NUMensbball \| Instagram: @numensbball VIRTUAL PRESS BOX

EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern opens its 2020-21 season on Wednesday at Welsh-Ryan Arena as the Wildcats face off against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.

The Wildcats are set to begin their eight season under Sullivan-Ubben Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins, who has amassed 109 wins in his seven seasons leading the program. Northwestern has won six of its seven season openers under Collins, averaging 76 points in those seven games while holding opponents to an average of 61.6 points.

Four starters return to the Wildcats lineup, including juniors Miller Kopp, who led the team with 13.1 points per game along with Pete Nance who was second on the team with 181 rebounds (6.0 per game) last season to go along with a team-leading 29 blocks.

Sophomores Ryan Young (9.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game), Boo Buie (10.3 points per game, fifth among Big Ten freshmen) and Robbie Beran (.400 3FG%, tied for second among Big Ten freshmen with 50 or more attempts), all will play a pivotal role for the Wildcats this season.

Northwestern welcomes three new first-years to the roster in Ty Berry, Matthew Nicholson & Dom Martinelli. Additionall, redshirt-sophomore Chase Audige is primed to make an immedaite impact for the 'Cats after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules. While playing for William & Mary as a first-year in 2018-19, Audige averaged 9.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists and a team-high 44 steals.

This is the second-ever meeting between Northwestern and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Northwestern won the first matchup 71-45 in 2010.

THREE STORYLINES TO WATCH

Northwestern maintains its youthful corps without a senior on the roster, including nine first-years and sophomores. With the addition of first-year guard Ty Berry, four of the six highest rated recruits in program history will see the court this season according to 247sports (Pete Nance, Robbie Beran, Miller Kopp and Ty Berry).
Northwestern brings back four starters this season in addition to 68.4% of its total minutes and 71.9% of its total points from 2019. This is the first time the 'Cats return four starters since they brought back Dererk Pardon, Bryant McIntosh, Vic Law and Scottie Lindsey in 2017.
Miller Kopp and Robbie Beran were prolific from behind the arc, shooting 39.6% and 40.0% from three-point range, respectively. Kopp and Beran had the second highest combined three-point percentage (.397) among qualified first-year and sophomore duos in the Big Ten.