Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
#1 UConn
Northwestern Meets UConn with Sweet 16 Trip on the Line
3/23/2024 6:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Northwestern (22-11, 12-8 B1G) matched its program record with 21 regular season wins this season, tying the record previously set in 2016-17 and 2022-23. Northwestern's 22 total wins this season is tied for the second-most in program history, equaling the total set in 2022-23.
Northwestern came from behind to defeat FAU 77-65 in overtime in Friday's First Round tilt at Barclays Center. The Wildcats improved to a perfect 3-0 all-time in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament, tied with Tulane for the best winning percentage (min. three games) in tournament history since 1985.
Ryan Langborg exploded for a career-high 27 points, the most ever by a Wildcat in an NCAA Tournament game. The San Diego product and Princeton grad transfer scored 25 of his 27 points in the second half and overtime, including 12 points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting in overtime. He became the second player ever to have two 25-plus point games for two different teams (Jamal Faulkner, 1991- Arizona State and 1994- Alabama).
Boo Buie notched 22 points, a career-high five steals, four assists, and three rebounds. The game marked Buie's 18th contest with 20-plus points this season.
Brooks Barnhizer sent the game into overtime with a layup with nine seconds left, tying the game at 58 heading into the extra frame. With 13 points and 10 rebounds against FAU, the Lafayette, Ind. native recorded his 10th double-double of the season, the most in a single-season by a Wildcat since Evan Eschmeyer logged 15 double-doubles in 1998-99.
With the win, the Wildcats improved to 12-2 this season when holding opponents to 65 or fewer points. During the Chris Collins era, Northwestern is 130-37 when holding opponents to 65 points or fewer.
Northwestern and UConn are meeting on the hardwood for the first time in the history of either program. The Wildcats are 58-57 against the current alignment of the BIG EAST. NU has won three straight against BIG EAST foes. Northwestern has won two straight games against the AP No. 1 ranked team, defeating No. 1 Purdue twice.
All five starters for the Huskies (32-3, 18-2 BIG EAST) average double-digit points per game, led by Tristen Newton's 15.1 points per game.
The winner of Sunday's Second Round matchup will advance to the Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28 at TD Garden in Boston, where it will face the winner of Yale and San Diego State.
