Super Scintillating Selections Top 30 Countdown: #25 Northwestern Wildcats

This team is one big electric factory. They pretty much do nothing extraordinary, but damn do they play hard and have the heart of a lion (wildcat). Northwestern may just be that team this year that goes on a run and nobody can figure out why, but everyone is rooting for them to keep it going. There are not too many stats to back it up, the Wildcats have just been winning and currently find themselves in second place in the Big Ten, behind only Purdue (who they beat).

19-7 overall record, 10-5 record in the Big Ten, winners of their last four ball games, and 7-2 in their last nine. Led by 10th year head coach Chris Collins, this Wildcat squad cant be considered a “Cinderella” because of their big name/conference status, but they have the potential to go on a Cinderella type run in the tournament.

It takes a lot more than just heart and effort to make a run though. They do some things well enough that when you combine those with heart, that can equal some magic…it's simple math.

Here is why Northwestern can make some noise in the tourney and what is holding them back:

Why can this team make some noise?

Playmakers: Boo Buie (what a name) has a clutch gene that not many people are born with. Look no further than yesterday’s matchup against Indiana. Boo hit a game winning floater to send the Hoosiers home with an L, their second of the season to Northwestern. Boo averages 16.8 points a game and a lot of those come from him stepping up in the second half, or in crunch time when the game is hitting its waning moments. Chase Audige, averages 15.1 points a game, and shoots 33.7% from behind the arc. These two guards are so fun to watch, and seem to step up their play when the team needs them the most. Could be that one-two punch that America can't help but root for in March.

Crunch Time Charity Stripe: Listen closely to this one because we are going below surface level here. Northwestern averages 75% from the line, which is one of those “good enough” stats I was referring to. The normal blog writer, bracketologist, etc. would stop there and chalk that up as an above average team from the line. Not me. I care enough about you guys to give you more. The five guys that will be in during crunch time are Boo Buie (88.9%), Chase Audige (83.1%), Ty Berry (86.7%), Robbie Beran (83.9%) and Brooks Barnhizer (78.7%)…..ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? That is an average 84.3% from the line, which is good enough for #1 in the country. You’re welcome.

Give me Northwestern in ANY close game they have down the stretch for these two reasons.

What's holding them back?

Any Stat Guy: Stat guys hate this team, they don't understand why Northwestern is considered a good team. They have a point, but are still boring people to listen to, vibe ruiners if you will. The Wildcats are #239 in PPG, #164 in RPG, #307 in three-point percentage and the list unfortunately goes on. The two stats they have going for them are the free throws, and they lock down on defense (61.9 points allowed per game). So, if the magic were to run out it would be because any of these stats caught up to them.

Tread lightly here for now. The Big Ten tournament will be helpful to watch this team and see how they perform in a tournament setting. Coach Chris Collins is up to something here though. Just watch.

My Prediction: Sweet 16

Next Game: vs. Iowa 2/19