Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: 2021 power rankings heading into conference tournament

By Ryan Kay

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Duane Washington Jr. (4) is guarded by Michigan Wolverines forward Isaiah Livers (2) during Sunday's NCAA Division I Big Ten conference basketball game at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on February 21, 2021.Ceb Osu Mbk Mich Bjp 17
Ohio State Buckeyes guard Duane Washington Jr. (4) is guarded by Michigan Wolverines forward Isaiah Livers (2) during Sunday's NCAA Division I Big Ten conference basketball game at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on February 21, 2021.Ceb Osu Mbk Mich Bjp 17 /
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Big Ten Basketball
Northwestern Big Ten Basketball 201229 Nw Iowa Mbb 041 Jpg /

7-14. . Wildcats . 13. team. 489.

Wins

*Arkansas-Pine Bluff
*Chicago State
*Quincy
*Michigan State
*Ohio State
*Indiana
*@Minnesota

Losses

*Pittsburgh
*Iowa (twice)
*@Michigan
*Illinois (twice)
*@Ohio State
*Wisconsin (twice)
*@Penn State
*@Purdue
*Indiana
*Rutgers (twice)

Net ranking: 91

KenPom ranking: 72

AP ranking: N/A

Reason for Hope: They look to end the season like how they started it. Northwestern started the season 6-1 with victories over Ohio State, Michigan State, and Indiana. Their only loss during that stretch was a one-point heartbreaking loss to Pitt. The Wildcats just came off an impressive nine-point road victory at Minnesota and the hope is that they can continue with positive momentum and finish the season on a strong note with another victory or two especially with a home game coming up against Nebraska.

Reason to be Pessimistic: Northwestern lost 13 straight games from Dec. 29 to Feb. 21 and that stretch of losses set the Wildcats back in terms of turning the corner. Northwestern’s offense has struggled lately and in order for them to win possibly two games down the stretch which is feasible, their offense needs to produce.

Brief Overview of the Season

Northwestern’s main problem is that the Big Ten is very competitive and deep this season with the possibility of up to 11 Big Ten teams having a legitimate chance to qualify for the NCAA tournament. However, as seen already with their stretch of losing 13 straight games, the very likely result for the Wildcats this Big Ten season will more than likely be that they finish in second from last-place in the Big Ten.

Even though it doesn’t appear to necessarily be true but you have to give at least some credit to head coach Chris Collins who is in his 8th season as the head of the Northwestern program has shown flashes of what the Wildcats may be in the future.

This season has been difficult and challenging for Northwestern but they did beat a very good Ohio State team this season and they have won on the road with victories over Indiana and Minnesota. However, it is understandable from the Wildcats fanbase that in year 8, Northwestern would be showing more progress than they have displayed this season.

Collins has four players averaging double-digits in scoring this season as sophomore Miller Kopp and junior Pete Nance have been doing well offensively for the Wildcats for most of the season as they are two of the top three leading scorers for Northwestern this season. However to finish the season with at least two more victories these players need to excel and exceed expectations, such as Chase Audige who is the Wildcats leading scorer, and Boo Buie who leads the team in assists per game.

Northwestern can still surprise a Big Ten team with a win here or there once Big Ten tournament play begins. The Wildcats next host Maryland on Mar. 3.

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