The Kohl Center is one of those "Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter" places, and that's no different for Northwestern. In fact, the only way it's different for Northwestern is that it might be even more true for Northwestern, who are doomed in a variety of ways before stepping foot on the court today against Wisconsin. I hate telling it like it is, but, for this game, it is meant to be told like it is.
Wisco is the No. 8 team in the country, per kenpom, scarily-er, they're the No. 1 offensive team. How could that be, you ask? Well, they're good at offense. Helpful is the fact that against Northwestern (at home) they scored 78 points on 50 possessions. That's over 1.5 points per possession. That's one of the most efficient games in the country this season (Kenpom said it was top three earlier this year, don't know if that has changed.)
Reminder: that happened at home. NU was quite lucky to lose by only 28 after trailing by A LOT for the whole game.
Today hopefully won't be the same. A modicum of defense will prevent that from happening. Does NU have a shot at winning? Stranger things have happened. However, the 8 percent win probability kenpom gives us is a good indicator that it ain't bloody likely.
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