Northwestern basketball to host Brown in 2017-18

Northwestern men’s basketball will host Brown University in non-conference play in 2017-18, as reported by FanRag Sports’ Jon Rothstein.

“Host” is meant figuratively, of course. Brown went 13-17 overall and finished seventh in the Ivy League last year with a 4-10 conference record. The Bears, coached by Mike Martin, ended the year 277th in KenPom’s rankings. Brown will lose its leading scorer Steven Spieth (yes, that is actually golfer Jordan Spieth’s brother) and its second-leading scorer Tavon Blackman next year as both players are graduating.

Northwestern last played Brown in 2014-15, winning 69-56 in Providence. Northwestern last played an Ivy League opponent in 2015-16, defeating Columbia 83-80 in a dramatic overtime contest.

Northwestern is now scheduled to host Brown, Valparaiso and St. Peter’s in non-conference play. The Wildcats will travel to Norman to face Oklahoma and also participate in the later rounds of the Hall of Fame Tip Off at Mohegan Sun, along with Boston College, Texas Tech and La Salle. Brown doesn’t exactly add to Northwestern’s resumé, but Collins and Northwestern have a tradition of playing Ivy League schools in conference, so this is not surprising.

Northwestern’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup is yet to be announced, and it remains to be seen whether or not NU will have a Gavitt Games matchup against a Big East opponent.