Northwestern Basketball Preview 2021
Our Northwestern basketball preview 2021 - 22 notes that it took coach Chris Collins (118-134 Northwestern/Overall/8 years) four years to get the Wildcats to the Big Dance. After a second round elimination in 2017 when they tied for fifth place in the Big Ten, life went back to normal for the Cats. That life includes finishing last or near the bottom of the conference each season and neither appearing in the NCAA or NIT. Last year, the Northwestern Wildcats (9-15 Overall, 6-13 Big Ten) ended up 12th in the Big Ten. Don’t expect much more from them in 2021 - 22.
Wildcats Frontcourt
Former top-100 recruit Pete Nance, now a senior, has developed slowly at forward. Our Northwestern basketball preview 2021 - 22 anticipates Nance (11.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG) enjoying a breakthrough season this year. In 2020-21, he increased his shooting percentage by 11 points, as Nance was successful on 49.5 percent of his field goals. This season, he’s expected to excel against smaller players in the post. Six-foot-10, 245-pound center Ryan Young, a junior, is a 57.4/50.0/73.8 shooter. Young is a dependable and consistent post player who can rebound, score, and dish off assists. He and Nance comprise one of the most experienced frontcourt duos in the Big Ten. There’s optimism that forward Robbie Beran (5.7 PPG, 2.7 RPG), another former top-100 recruit, can mature into a more aggressive and productive forward this season. Increased contributions are needed from him.
Northwestern Basketball Preview – Backcourt
The Northwestern starting backcourt, point man Boo Buie and shooting guard Chase Audige, control the fate of this team. Both juniors can be dynamite point producers. However, both also turned the ball over excessively last season, at times took too many shots, and seemed to disappear from the offense at other times. Better efficiency and ball distribution is needed from the up-tempo tandem. Senior Ryan Greer comes off the bench to relieve while sophomore Ty Berry will also get court minutes.
Northwestern Basketball Preview 2021 – Final Word
One big issue for Collins is depth. There’s not a lot behind the starting rotation. At the same time, our Northwestern basketball preview 2021 - 22 questions exactly how Collins expects to lift the Wildcats from what has become their usual position. That’s somewhere near the bottom of the cellar. We do expect to see some improvement this season from this team. However, it won’t be enough to lift them out of the last third of the Big Ten standings.
Big Ten - Northwestern Rankings & Projections 2021
AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 96
Big Ten Finish: 11
Postseason Tournament: None