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When Northwestern built up an 18-point lead in the first half against Rutgers, you didn’t really think it was going to come out with a victory, did you? The ‘Cats let another double digit lead slip in the last six minutes of the game, and now sit at a dismal 6-16 overall record.
Here was last night’s performance as told through the always entertaining Northwestern Twitterverse:
Northwestern opened the game with a unique lineup, and it paid massive dividends.
After eight days off, Northwestern is trotting out an extremely different starting five.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@2021_Charlie) February 9, 2020
-Robbie Beran over Pete Nance at the four
-Boo Buie starting at point guard alongside Pat Spencer
These have arguably been NU's best five players this month, and they're starting tonight. https://t.co/zvvVBPtLtI
Northwestern is 3-for-4 from beyond the arc, Buie has 8 already and the ‘Cats lead by 10
— Inside NU (@insidenu) February 9, 2020
How about this start, @NUMensBball fans? pic.twitter.com/wXCX6MkQIi
— Northwestern On BTN (@NUOnBTN) February 10, 2020
-Miller Kopp just hit his third three of the night and has 11 points.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@2021_Charlie) February 9, 2020
-Northwestern is shooting 57.1 percent from the field.
-The Wildcats have made five threes.
-Rutgers is shooting 4-13 from the field.
-NU has no turnovers. Rutgers has five.
The Cats lead 29-11 at the U8
I mean, NU can't play much better than that.
— Louie Vaccher (@WildcatReport) February 10, 2020
They shot 48.5% from the floor, hit 6 3s, had 10 assists on 16 baskets, committed one TO, got 12 points off the bench, overcame a 3-minute scoring drought and held Rutgers to 33.3% shooting and 0-9 on 3s.
NU 38 RU 27 at half.
Rutgers down 18 points to last place Northwestern at home where they’re undefeated. pic.twitter.com/ycvNGNKyVV
— On the Banks (@OTB_SBNation) February 10, 2020
True freshman Jared Jones came through and provided some reinforcements.
The Jared Jones Game, that's what it is so far for @NUMensBall. pic.twitter.com/lQza06X18R
— Northwestern On BTN (@NUOnBTN) February 10, 2020
Jared Jones also really impressive right now. Has eight and has put the ball on the floor well.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) February 10, 2020
I get Len Elmore never watches Northwestern but Jared Jones is skilled. He’s still raw but he’s skilled. Don’t disrespect him, Lenny.
— Michael Cronin (@TMichaelCronin) February 10, 2020
But true Northwestern fans had to have a feeling of how the contest was going to end.
how many points would northwestern mens basketball have to be up at halftime for you to think they have anything resembling a chance to win, i think my number is 23
— streetwear beng the return vol. 2 (@kicknyrgios) February 9, 2020
Jared Jones came to play today. So did my main man Boo Buie but that’s expected. This is all going to end in a soul crushing loss, right?
— Like Catching a Ball (@BillCatching) February 10, 2020
How is Northwestern going to blow this one?
— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) February 9, 2020
Does the collapse start now or with only a few minutes left? Stay tuned to find out!
— Ryne Booth (@TheBoothReview3) February 10, 2020
And collapse they did.
Have you heard this before? A Baker step back three ties the game with 1:00 minute to play as Northwestern calls a timeout.
— On the Banks (@OTB_SBNation) February 10, 2020
Oh man
— Inside NU (@insidenu) February 10, 2020
NU has hit one of its last nine shots...and that was a very difficult, contested jumper by Kopp.
— Louie Vaccher (@WildcatReport) February 10, 2020
The wheels have come off NU's offense.
That was an impressive collapse by Northwestern.
— Austin Burklund (@AB1132) February 10, 2020
Biggest comeback since Rutgers rallied from 20 points down in a 71-70 triumph at Pittsburgh on Feb. 21, 1996 wasn’t that the game where Damian Santiago nailed the free throw at the end to finish off the win? https://t.co/mGOAzSe3Xx
— Todd (@toddc14) February 10, 2020
VICTORY! What a comeback for the Scarlet Knights!
— Rutgers Basketball (@RutgersMBB) February 10, 2020
Geo Baker scores 25 points to spark Rutgers to a 77-73 overtime win!
⚔️ #GardenStatement pic.twitter.com/5IWtmzCbkz
Cue the meltdown.
Hello darkness my old friend https://t.co/1c5hG5Ts4Y
— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) February 10, 2020
it's just so hard to watch. every game. the same damn story.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) February 10, 2020
It feels like they got McCall to take over for the last 10 minutes of the second half this season
— Brendan Schmitz (@Brendan_Schmitz) February 10, 2020
Chris Collins needs to be fired. He’s holding this program back. If you don’t agree, you haven’t watched Northwestern over the past 2 years
— Parker (@parkerkjohnson) February 10, 2020
We are numb
— Robert Burghardt (@RBurghardt) February 10, 2020
Numb - but not as in the marching band
— Jim (@sportsjimdoc) February 10, 2020
Awesome! I mean, the lax team is crushing it! 54 goals in their first two games! ♀️
— NTXB1GCat (@jmgoldmann) February 10, 2020
More like Pissed That Away, amirite? https://t.co/bJIGgUXh9H
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) February 10, 2020
Michigan comes to Evanston on Wednesday night!