The ‘Cats are coming off another loss after holding a sizable second half lead. It has become a troubling pattern, as Northwestern has repeatedly struggled to close out games. Up next is a Rutgers team coming off a 26-point blowout defeat to Illinois.
Northwestern is still searching for its first Big Ten win of the season, and here are three keys to securing a victory.
Play K.J. Windham to improve three point shooting
It’s baffling that Windham has fallen out of the rotation and has not played a single minute in the last three games. Northwestern
has struggled mightily from beyond the arc, missing wide open three after wide open three. The ‘Cats continue to start Jordan Clayton, who has been a solid defender, but he is frequently left open and is shooting just 25% from three on the year.
Northwestern has shot 27% or worse from deep in five of its last six games. That becomes a major issue when opponents are comfortable sagging off shooters and daring the ‘Cats to make shots. Jayden Reid, who shot 48% and 36% from three last season against lower level competition, has dipped to 27% this year. Tre Singleton, Justin Mullins, despite a four three pointer game against Howard, and Angelo Ciaravino have all been hesitant from the perimeter and ineffective when they do shoot. Even Max Green, who started the season hot from deep, is just 4-for-18 over his last four games. Nick Martinelli has been the lone bright spot from three, shooting 55% this season, which only highlights how limited Northwestern’s reliable perimeter options have been.
The overall struggles from three is what makes Windham’s absence from the rotation so puzzling. The sophomore is shooting 35.5% from three this season and has consistently made an impact when on the floor. He entered the year expected to play a significant role and possibly start, but that expectation hasn’t materialized. Windham finished last season strong, scoring in double figures in six of his final nine games, including two 20-point performances.
Windham needs to be in the rotation, and Northwestern must find a way to improve its three-point shooting if it wants to start winning games.
Defensive rebounding
This has been a major issue all season, and the ‘Cats need to find a way to correct it. In Thursday’s loss to Michigan State, Northwestern was outrebounded 42–25 and allowed 11 offensive rebounds. While there was visible effort on the glass, particularly from Martinelli and Ciaravino, rebounding continues to be a glaring weakness for this team.
Coach Collins should consider returning to the three-big lineup of Martinelli, Singleton and Arrinten Page. Those three are among Northwestern’s best players, and having them on the floor together would provide more size and physicality, especially on the defensive glass.
Even though Rutgers has struggled this season, the Scarlet Knights remain strong on the offensive boards, averaging 10.9 offensive rebounds per game, which ranks 59th nationally. On the defensive end, Rutgers has been far less effective on the glass, ranking 260th with 21.2 defensive rebounds per game, but Northwestern will still be tested by Rutgers’ ability to generate second-chance opportunities. The ‘Cats must be sharper and more disciplined on defensive rebounds to avoid extended possessions.
Finish the game strong
Closing games has been a persistent problem for Northwestern this season. The ‘Cats have repeatedly built second-half leads only to let them slip away late. In five of the team’s seven losses, Northwestern held a lead at some point in the second half. The only game in which the ‘Cats were never truly competitive was against Wisconsin. In the other tight loss when NU didn’t hold a late lead in the second half, Northwestern trailed Butler by just one point with 19 seconds remaining while Martinelli was sidelined.
Northwestern led then-No. 23 Virginia late but went ice cold, making just one field goal in the final eight minutes to lose by five. The ‘Cats also led by nine in the second half against Ohio State, six against Oklahoma State, seven with nine minutes left against Minnesota and eight in the second half against Michigan State. If even two of those games had ended differently, the outlook on this season would feel dramatically different.
Late-game execution has been an issue on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Northwestern would benefit from consistently playing through Martinelli and letting him either take the shot or make the decision. Defensively, the problems have been even more pronounced. Against Minnesota, the ‘Cats allowed 50 second-half points. Michigan State scored 48 after halftime and Ohio State put up 46.
While Rutgers does not present the same offensive firepower as some of Northwestern’s recent opponents, the ‘Cats must prove they can close out games. Until that happens, late leads will continue to feel fragile.
