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Northwestern Basketball: 2023-24 season preview for the Wildcats

By Jack Gutzler

Jan 15, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Northwestern Wildcats center Matthew Nicholson (34) grabs a rebound in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Northwestern Wildcats center Matthew Nicholson (34) grabs a rebound in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 18, 2023; Sacramento, CA, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Chris Collins gives directions during the second half against the UCLA Bruins at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Collins, Northwestern Basketball, Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Northwestern Basketball is coming off one of the best seasons in program history, which saw the team make their second ever March Madness appearance. Many of the key pieces from last season’s team have remained with the school for this season, and several incoming transfers look set to make an immediate impact on the court and help the Wildcats remain a contender in the Big Ten this year.

The Wildcats finished with 22-12 overall last season, along with a 12-8 record in Big Ten play. The 12-8 mark is Northwestern’s best conference record in program history since the team joined the conference in 1953. The impressive season was enough to earn the Wildcats a no. 7 seed in the NCAA tournament, where they defeated Boise State in the first round before falling to no. 2 seed UCLA in a highly competitive matchup.

Despite the loss, things are looking up for the Wildcats this season, especially with guard Boo Buie – the team’s leading scorer – returning for one more season. Buie has been the heart and soul of the program for the last few years, and he looks set to make a massive impact on the court this year. Fellow guards Ty Berry and Brooks Barnhizer are also returning to the team, leaving the Wildcats with three of their top five scorers from last season team.

On the flip side, guard Chase Audige and forward Robbie Beran will not be returning to the Wildcats this season, the latter of which having transferred to Virginia Tech. However, Northwestern was able to make some significant moves in the transfer portal, bringing in three potential impact players, with former Princeton guard Ryan Langborg set to join the team. Langborg is coming off a 2022-23 campaign which saw him score 12.7 ppg while being a key contributor to Princeton’s Sweet 16 run. Along with Langborg, former University of Denver Forward Justin Mullins and Liberty University Center Blake Preston will join the team.

As a result of the combination of many key players returning and the addition of several transfers, the potential is very much there for the Wildcats to not only duplicate last season’s performance, but take another step forward.

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