'Cats Set to Host #4 Michigan State in Big Ten Opener

NORTHWESTERN MEN'S BASKETBALL: GAMEDAY INFORMATION
DATE	Opponent	TIME	LOCATION	Television	Live Stats
Sunday, December 20	Michigan State	6:00 pm CT	Evanston, Ill. (Welsh-Ryan Arena)	BTN	Live Stats
Radio: WGN 720 Social: Twitter: @NUMensbball \| Instagram: @numensbball VIRTUAL PRESS BOX

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern opens its Big Ten slate this weekend as it welcomes #4 Michigan State to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.

Last time out, the Wildcats put together their third dominant performance against a non-conference opponent this season, taking down Quincy 100-48. Miller Kopp led all scorers with 23 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while Boo Buie contributed 15 points and four assists.

Northwestern and Michigan State will battle for the 132nd time in program history, with the 4th-ranked Spartans being the Wildcats' highest ranked opponent since they took on No. 2 Michigan on Jan. 13, 2019.

STORYLINES

Northwestern scored 100 points against Quincy the last time out, the second game they have scored at least 100 points this season. The last time a Northwestern team hit the century-mark twice in a season was 1989-90.
The Wildcats have been dominant in the frontcourt, grabbing 50+ rebounds in three of their first four games. The 'Cats 188 rebounds is their most through four games since at least 2010 and is the most for a Big Ten team since 2017.
Miller Kopp is averaging 16.3 points per game, shooting 52.9% from the field (18-for-34), 52.6% from three (10-for-19), and 82.6% from the free-throw line (19-for-23). Kopp is the only Power 5 player averaging at least 15.0 points per game while shooting 50% from the field, 50% from three (min. 10 attempts) and 80% from the line.
Ty Berry is averaging 10.3 points per game and leads all Big Ten first-years (min. 10 attempts) in three-point percentage at 52.9% (9-for-17).
Boo Buie is tied for the conference lead with 6.0 assists per game. Buie's 24 assists through four games is the most by a Wildcat to start a season since Bryant McIntosh had 26 to begin the 2017-18 campaign.