Edit/update, 11/18: Might as well just keep using this thread.

Women's Basketball

Northwestern Wildcats at #20 Oregon Ducks

5pm CT | Pac-12+

This one is, unfortunately, a little out of hand as I'm posting it -- Oregon leads 88-52 in the fourth quarter, with Northwestern not shooting awful but getting turned over 19 times to Oregon's 6.

After this one, the 'Cats won't play again until Sunday, when they host the Penn Quakers.

Men's Basketball

Chicago State Cougars at Northwestern Wildcats

7pm | BTN+ | NU -24 | O/U 140.5

Just a broad overview of what I wrote elsewhere -- Chicago State has historically been a pretty shambolic program and is actually now cut adrift from the WAC, looking for a conference to no avail (they got turned down by the MEAC presidents).

But Gerald Gillion got a big win over New Mexico State in 2022-23, has the Cougars slowing down and playing some more serious ball, and...you never know in an opener. I'd love to see our frontcourt dominate this one against a Chicago State front line that's largely transfer-laden. If we have to rely on our chuckers, it could be a nervy evening. Here's hoping for a runaway win.

Weekend of November 18-20

Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons at Northwestern (Men)

What's intriguing about the Mastodons is that they don't mind pushing the floor a little and look like they play a much more active man defense than most. Can the Northwestern backcourt handle it? If we lose this, do the Mastodons take our place in Cancun?

Southern Illinois Salukis at Northwestern (Women)

The Salukis are 0-2, 322nd in RPI, and it would not be good if there was a 'Cats loss here.

-------------------------------

Anyone want to join me? Talk about the game here?