Purdue 68, Northwestern 60: Player Grades

Northwestern came out of the gates playing good, clean basketball, but Purdue turned up the intensity in the second half and took control of the game. Here are individual grades for the 10 Northwestern players that played.

Bryant McIntosh

Grade: A-

Stats: 15 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, 3 turnovers, 6-11 FG

McIntosh was excellent yet again against Purdue. Per usual, the offense ran through him and he did a good job of finding open teammates. While he finished with 5 assists, that total could easily have been much higher, as Northwestern missed a number of open jumpers. His 15 points came on an efficient 6-for-11 shooting. It seems that every announcing crew is effusive in their praise for McIntosh, and it's no mystery why--the freshman point guard has played very, very well in conference games and his future is bright.

Tre Demps

Grade: D+

Stats: 16 points, 2 assists, 3 rebounds, 0 turnovers, 5-17 FG

Demps was his usual self. He scored, but he did so inefficiently and his shot selection left a lot to be desired. Demps is shooting below 40 percent on the season, and while he's one of Northwestern's only players who can create his own shot, the shots that he creates are far too often step-back contested jumpers and heaves at the basket after an out-of-control drive into the lane.

Alex Olah

Grade: D+

Stats: 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 2-8 FG

Olah was a non-factor as his shocking stat-line suggests. He fouled out with 3 minutes left and wasn't aggressive enough on offense. He missed numerous open jumpers that he needs to hit if Northwestern is going to win games. When he did take initiative in the second half, he wasn't able to finish at the rim.

Olah also had his hands full with Purdue's excellent big men, who were able to bully him inside. A.J. Hammons finished with 16 points and Isaac Haas managed 10 off the bench. Additionally, Olah didn't control the defensive boards like Northwestern needs him to. Despite his 7-foot frame, Olah only nabbed 1 rebound. It is reasonable to suggest though that Olah's less than stellar play was largely a result of having to deal with Purdue's talented bigs.

Jershon Cobb

Grade: C+

Stats: 2 points, 0 assists, 3 rebounds, 0 turnovers, 1-2 FG

After seeing a resurgence in usage, Cobb went back to being a minimal piece of the offense. He only attempted 2 shots, but moved well and set some good screens to open up Northwestern shooters (who didn't make those shots, by and large). Tonight was a firm reminder that Cobb is still extremely limited by his health, and his role on this team is far smaller than most everyone expected it to be at the start of the season.

Scottie Lindsey

Grade: B-

Stats: 6 points, 0 assists, 5 rebounds, 0 turnovers, 3-6 FG

I actually thought Lindsey played pretty well this game. He was more aggressive than I've seen him and had two dunks, which might set an all time record for most dunks in the history of Northwestern basketball.  Lindsey rebounded well and all in all played good, tough defense. I'd expect him to continue to start. He hasn't given the coaching staff any reason to sit him, and no other perimeter player has stepped up enough to deserve his starting spot.

Vic Law

Grade: B

Stats: 5 points, 0 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1-2 FG

Law was better tonight. He was more aggressive on the offensive end and attacked the basket more than he has been recently. He's still not playing very much, but he was good when he was on the floor, which is an encouraging sign. It's been a disappointing freshman year, but he's still very talented and can be an asset for this team going forward.

Sanjay Lumpkin

Grade: C

Stats: 0 points, 0 assists, 0 rebounds, 0 turnovers, 0-0 FG

It's often said that the type of work Sanjay Lumpkin does doesn't show up on the stat sheet. Tonight, literally nothing that Lumpkin did showed up on the stat sheet. He finished with zero points, zero assists and, you guessed it, zero rebounds. He didn't attempt a shot, which is more a product of him not getting the ball in a position to shoot--Lumpkin is not one to create his own shot--but it's still disappointing after his perfect three-point shooting against Maryland.

Dave Sobolewski

Grade: B-

Stats: 3 points, 0 assists, 0 rebounds, 0 turnovers, 1-2 FG

Sobolewski did what he's asked to do in this offense. He took care of the basketball, made good, smart passes and made one of the two three-pointers he attempted. Sobolewski has firmly established himself as a rotation player, and he's been solid when he's been on the floor. He's never going to wow you with his athleticism or shot-making, but it's admirable that he's accepted his diminished role and plays within his means night in and night out.

Jeremiah Kreisberg

Grade: C

Stats: 2 points, 0 assists, 1 rebound, 0 turnovers, 1-2 FG

Kresiberg wasn't able to keep up with Purdue's more athletic big men, allowing them multiple good looks at the basket, which they largely converted. Kreisberg and Olah combined for two rebounds (!!!). When you're playing a team with good big men, you're going to need to rebound the basketball and not allow additional possessions. Northwestern was not able to do that--a key offensive rebound with a minute to go helped seal Purdue's win--and, consequently, the Wildcats were unable to get the win.

Gavin Skelly

Grade: C+

Stats: 2 points, 0 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1-3 FG

Skelly got some rare playing time to try and help Northwestern defend Purdue's bigs. He's physically strong and did his best on the defensive end, but he continues to look uncomfortable on the offensive end of the floor.