Northwestern Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Wildcats

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 18: The Northwestern Wildcats mascot performs against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 18, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: The Northwestern Wildcats have a conversation in the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Northwestern Basketball failed to meet expectations last season. How exactly do the Wildcats look for the 2018-19 season with a few new pieces?

There were two teams who had very similarly disappointing seasons. The Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Northwestern Wildcats. Both teams had a solid starting five who produced a lot the year before in an NCAA Tournament season. The two teams were ranked. By the time Big Ten season was in full swing, they were out and fighting for their lives.

It ended terribly bad for Northwestern and Minnesota. Specifically, we’re going to focus on Northwestern. I had the privilege of already discussing the Gophers last month.

The Wildcats went 15-17 overall with a 6-12 record in the Big Ten. The injuries pilled out, Northwestern showed its lack of depth that was going to be a possible hindrance and the guards couldn’t play defense.

With what seemed to be a perfect situation for Chris Collins and the Northwestern Wildcats, Scottie Lindsey and Bryant McIntosh went out on a sour note.

Honestly though, when you look at it, those two and Gavin Skully were the only three seniors on the team. The excuse could’ve been that they were just too young and inexperienced to make consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.

To be fair, 2017 was the first Tournament appearance in program history. They looked pretty good doing it two seasons ago. They had a nice cast of returners and ended up finishing two games under .500. It’s crazy how two teams from the same conference had identical seasons.

I had high hopes for these Wildcats. I picked them to be an easy top-five Big Ten team all season. On a side-note, I’m saying the same thing about Nebraska this season, so I’m warning you now if the Cornhuskers finish under .500.

Getting back to the topic on hand, Northwestern is once again returning a decent cast of players. It won’t be a total rebuild for Collins. There are two double-figure scorers coming back. They get a transfer who sat out last season and another that will be playing in his graduate season.

The depth may be a little bit better just like Minnesota because of all the changes that went on last season. Guys had to step up. There are not NCAA Tournament expectations anymore so maybe that will take some pressure off them. Either way, they won’t be terrible, but how exactly will these guys look this season?

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