Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Eastern Illinois
No. 17 Northwestern Set to Open Season Against Eastern Illinois
12/8/2020 2:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball
| NORTHWESTERN WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: GAMEDAY INFORMATION | ||||||
| DATE | Opponent | TIME | LOCATION | Live Stats | Live Stream | Radio |
| Thursday, Dec. 10 | Eastern Illinois | 6 p.m. CT | Welsh-Ryan Arena | Live Stats | BTN+ | WNUR Sports |
| Social: Twitter (@NUWBBall) | Instagram (@NUWBBall) | Schedule | ||||||
EVANSTON, Ill. – The reigning Big Ten Champions Northwestern Wildcats will take the floor Thursday night for the first time in over nine months as they welcome Eastern Illinois to Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Thursday's game marks the 13th all-time meeting between the two programs. Northwestern is currently a perfect 12-0 in the series, last winning 74-40 at home in Dec. 2017.
The Wildcats enter 2020 ranked No. 17 in the AP Top 25 Poll, coming off a historic 2019-20 season in which they went 26-4 overall (16-2 B1G) and won a share of the Big Ten regular season title. An expected trip to the NCAA Tournament last spring never materialized due to COVID-19.
Despite the losses of program legends Abi Scheid and Abbie Wolf, Northwestern still returns three starters from last season, including unanimous First Team All-Big Ten selection Lindsey Pulliam and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Veronica Burton. Reigning Big Ten Coach of the Year Joe Mckeown is back for his 13th season at the helm of Chicago's Big Ten Team.
Pulliam appeared on the preseason watch list for the 2021 Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy which recognizes the best player in college basketball. In 2019-20, she averaged 18.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Pulliam recorded 14 games with 20 or more points last year and two games with over 30.
Northwestern will also feature an impressive three-member class of first-years this season with the likes of forward Anna Morris, forward Paige Mott and guard Jasmine McWilliams.
The 'Cats are set to tip off against Eastern Illinois Thursday Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. CT on BTN+ and WNUR Sports.
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