9 players who can help their team advance in the Big Ten Tournament

Boo Buie (Northwestern)

Now the Wildcats’ all-time leading scorer, it’s pretty hard to find someone who has had more of an impact on Northwestern basketball than Buie. He’s averaged double figures in all five seasons with the Wildcats and has them poised for just their third ever trip to the Big Dance, and second straight with him on the roster.

Buie’s role with the Wildcats has gradually grown over these last five seasons, developing from a reserve to a major scorer and ball handler for the team. In his final collegiate season he’s averaged 18.9 points and 5.2 assists per game while shooting 43% from outside the arc.

Not only is Buie putting up career numbers and sitting among the Big Ten’s leaders, but he also shows up in the most important moments. He scored a season-high 31 points in the Wildcats’ upset win over Purdue back in early December and had 29 points and 7 assists a month later in another upset, this time against in-state rival Illinois.

In what’s certainly a rarity for this program, the Wildcats earned a double-bye with the 4-seed in the Big Ten Tournament. They won’t see the court until Friday, but Buie and company will be must-see TV by then. If he shows up on the big stage, Northwestern could potentially shock Purdue again and are certainly a dark horse in this tournament.