Tweetcap: Northwestern basketball scrimmage

Northwestern basketball held their first open event of the preseason Saturday prior to the football team's game against Nebraska. The team was split in half, and played one 20 minute half of an intrasquad scrimmage.

First of all, a look at the new scoreboard and court design:

Next, during pregame warmups, Northwestern players were putting on a show for the fans. Here are a few of the highlight dunks from Gavin Skelly, Vic Law and Tre Demps:

Now, for the action on the court:

Teams for scrimmage… RT @Josh_Burton1: Purple: Vic Law, Scottie Lindsey, Johnnie Vassar, Nathan Taphorn, Tre Demps and Jeremiah Kreisberg.

— InsideNU (@insidenu) October 18, 2014

RT @Josh_Burton1: White team: Bryant McIntosh, Nick Segura, Gavin Skelly, Sanjay Lumpkin, Alex Olah, Dave Sobolewski and JerShon Cobb.

— InsideNU (@insidenu) October 18, 2014

Taphorn for 3 off a MacIntosh turnover for the first points of the scrimmage

— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) October 18, 2014

Might be late to notice this, but Collins isn’t coaching in the scrimmage. Watching from behind the table, letting assistants take charge

— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) October 18, 2014

Vassar looks impressive. Still raw, but impressive nonetheless

— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) October 18, 2014

Johnnie Vassar playing aggressive so far with a few tough drives to the hoop. Missed a layup but got fouled.

— Josh Burton (@Josh_Burton1) October 18, 2014

Alex Olah showing off the range with a nice mid-range jumper. If that shots falls for him, it won't be easy for defenses to adjust.

— Josh Burton (@Josh_Burton1) October 18, 2014

Law gets an entry pass in the post, faces up, and drills a jumper while getting slapped on the arm. Completes the 3-point play

— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) October 18, 2014

Olah with a block on one end, but then Vassar with tough D on Sobo and draws an offensive foul on an illegal screen

— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) October 18, 2014

One early observation about this #Northwestern team: there’s really only one player who isn’t comfortable shooting the 3-ball

— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) October 18, 2014

Big flush from Sanjay Lumpkin plus a foul. Did it right over freshman Vassar too. Can't convert free throw though.

— Josh Burton (@Josh_Burton1) October 18, 2014

Lumpkin rises up and throws one down right over Vassar. Nevermind Vassar’s height, that was a monster slam

— InsideNU (@insidenu) October 18, 2014

Tempo is noticeably faster than last year, though it’s a scrimmage so I wouldn’t take too much away from that

— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) October 18, 2014

Sobolewski with a turnover. If he wants playing time this year, above all else, that’s the one thing he can’t do

— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) October 18, 2014

First student half court shot of the year barely misses. Off back rim. Would’ve been biggest story of the afternoon

— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) October 18, 2014

Two student half court shots at hoops scrimmage, two near misses. Second one rebounds off the front rim. Big improvement over last year

— InsideNU (@insidenu) October 18, 2014

This can also happen during timeouts with the new video boards: pic.twitter.com/spejumyGnv

— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) October 18, 2014

Another three for Nathan Taphorn. Showing off the range today.

— Josh Burton (@Josh_Burton1) October 18, 2014

Timeout by Purple at the 1:35 mark with score still 30-26. After some good shooting, both teams are cold from the floor.

— Josh Burton (@Josh_Burton1) October 18, 2014

Purple 34, White 30. Chris Collins addresses crowd, implores them to support the team by going to games/buying tickets.

— Josh Burton (@Josh_Burton1) October 18, 2014

Here are the final stats from today's 20-minute scrimmage. #B1GCats pic.twitter.com/NV2A18idzR

— NU Men's Basketball (@NUMensBball) October 18, 2014

Overall, pretty good play from both sides. Shot selection and ball/player movement could be improved but then again, it's a scrimmage.

— Josh Burton (@Josh_Burton1) October 18, 2014

Team's first exhibition game is on Nov. 7th against McKendree (Division 2) at Welsh-Ryan. Season opener is week later vs Houston Baptist.

— Josh Burton (@Josh_Burton1) October 18, 2014

Finally, some quick analysis from our newest writer, Josh Burton. (Make sure to follow him on Twitter @Josh_Burton1)

From the scrimmage, I did get the feeling that the talent is there with the freshman, but the execution isn't quite yet.

— Josh Burton (@Josh_Burton1) October 18, 2014

That should come with time, but on a team with six of its 13 players being freshman, they need to make those adjustments quickly.

— Josh Burton (@Josh_Burton1) October 18, 2014

Also, I know it was an intra-team scrimmage, but Alex Olah has the chance to have a huge year.

— Josh Burton (@Josh_Burton1) October 18, 2014

He will be getting the ball on most offensive possessions and has the ability to stretch defenses to open up the lane for layups/dunks.

— Josh Burton (@Josh_Burton1) October 18, 2014