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Big Ten Basketball: Breakout candidate from each team for 2020-21 season

By Trevor Sinodhinos

MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 01: D'Mitrik Trice #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at the Kohl Center on February 01, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 01: D'Mitrik Trice #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at the Kohl Center on February 01, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 02: Pete Nance #22 of the Northwestern Wildcats (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 02: Pete Nance #22 of the Northwestern Wildcats (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Northwestern: Pete Nance

After a 3-17 conference record, which landed Northwestern Basketball in 13th place at the finish of the Big Ten season, coach Chris Collins has had from around Jan 11 to experiment and find a line-up that would work at the start of the 2020-21 season. The majority of the experimentation was trying to go small with guard Boo Buie or a more traditional line-up with 6’10 forward Pete Nance.

Nance started 20 of the 30 games he played in and averaged 26 minutes in those games. His points per game did not reach double digits as it finished at eight and a half, but the struggling Wildcats did perform better with Nance starting. The Wildcats averaged three more points and five more rebounds with Nance starting, not season changing, but positive.

With guard Pat Spencer graduating, it is more likely that coach Collins could use Boo Buie or Anthony Gaines to replace him, and even so, the challenger for Nance’s minutes will be Robbie Beran.

Next. Early Big Ten power rankings. dark

Nance, although 20 pounds lighter than Ryan Young, did score and rebound on par with Young. In addition, Nance did lead the team in defensive win shares, which will give coach Collins a reason to get him a few extra minutes at center. All the reasons why Nance will substantially improve upon his eight-point, six rebound average.

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