Inside NU: All Posts by Sydney SuppleRoll Damn 'Catshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52532/insidenu_fav.png2021-07-07T08:49:24-05:00https://www.insidenu.com/authors/sydney-supple/rss2021-07-07T08:49:24-05:002021-07-07T08:49:24-05:00How MatchPoint is helping Northwestern athletes navigate the new NIL legislation
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<figcaption>Northwestern student-athletes are partnering with Matchpoint to connect themselves with companies. | Matchpoint</figcaption>
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<p>Athletes are looking to new middleman apps to promote themselves to companies for future business deals. </p> <p id="A6tg7o">The recent passing of the name, image, and likeness bill for college athletes has created a whirlwind of new opportunities for both players and companies, as the Supreme Court’s ruling will now allow collegiate athletes to make a profit through promotions and sponsors. Athletes (including myself) have spent these past few days researching the best ways to promote themselves. While this is obviously a huge time for the players themselves, it is provided a new moneymaking avenue for companies, as some have been looking to establish themselves as a sort of middleman between athletes and potential sponsors. </p>
<p id="anRpfm">The most popular marketing companies that have been making recent headlines in this field so far are Opendorse, MatchPoint and Dreamfield, as well as a few others. These apps allow businesses and athletes to create a profile and match for future deals. MatchPoint has been the most popular recently with Northwestern, as players from the football, soccer and softball team have all signed up. Think like a dating app for business where athletes are trying to sell themselves to the companies based on the number of social media followers they have. </p>
<p id="ulu05L">“Now that these NIL restrictions have been lifted, it is truly an amazing time to be a student-athlete. The opportunities big and small are truly endless. I think MatchPoint is one of the few platforms, if not the only, that is really working to give all athletes the opportunity to capitalize on their influence,” Matchpoint CFO and Northwestern Alum Zack Oliver told Inside NU.</p>
<p id="D8cPXK">MatchPoint stands out amongst its competitors by allowing two-way communication. The majority of the apps allow athletes to design a set going rate they believe they are worth and then businesses have to seek out the athletes. MatchPoint offers athletes an opportunity to reach out directly to the companies they want, and to create personalized offers to the specific company they are trying to connect with. </p>
<p id="03NTkf">Once you are on the app, you can search for the company to which you want to send a pitch. The pitches allow you to select which social promotions you plan on using such as Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter. You then select the promotions you are offering to do for the company, which includes digital advertising, merchandise collaboration, print advertising, product promotion, promotional events, radio advertising, speaking engagement, sponsoring a clubhouse and television advertising. After you select the promotions, you insert the price you believe it is worth and send the offer. From there the company is able to accept, decline, or negotiate. While MatchPoint is relatively brand new, they have hit the ground running and are increasing their number of athletes on the app at a rapid pace.</p>
<p id="eccG7s">“It’s only been a few days and a holiday weekend, but MatchPoint was the platform for the first official deal of NIL. As far as Northwestern athletes go, there have been 5 or 6 deals cemented so far with a few more in process as well. Baton Rouge and Evanston are the first two markets where we are really trying to win. We want to give back to the communities that made us and use that as a recipe for the rest of America,” said Oliver.</p>
<p id="3BkCzI">The life of college athletes will never be the same again as many of them add brand and business management on top of the athletic and academic commitments they already hold. Less than a week into the legislation, the benefits and opportunities athletes hold going forward appear to be limitless. </p>
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https://www.insidenu.com/2021/7/7/22564520/how-matchpoint-is-helping-northwestern-athletes-navigate-the-new-nil-legislationSydney Supple2021-06-02T09:00:00-05:002021-06-02T09:00:00-05:00Time to reflect and build
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<figcaption>A positive year to build on for Northwestern softball | Laya Hartman</figcaption>
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<p>Faced with a season full of unique and unusual challenges, Northwestern softball made the most of their situation.</p> <p id="0d9nvt">The 2021 season was one unlike any other. As a team, we faced unprecedented situation after unprecedented situation as we tried to play amidst a worldwide pandemic. Together our team was put to the test to keep ourselves in a bubble as much as we could — daily PCR and antigen testing, not being allowed to play teams out of our conference and playing 4-to-6 games every weekend. While any program understandably could have looked at these obstacles as burdensome negatives, we — the Northwestern softball team — chose to look at them in a positive light. All of the sacrifices we made as a team only brought us closer together and made us stronger as individuals. </p>
<p id="nAfOGn">Our season began in February at the Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex site in Leesburg, Florida, where we opened up with six games against three Big Ten teams. This would be our first test against outside opponents in over 330 days, and after months of only being able to play against each other, we were ready to see how we matched up in comparison to our conference peers. </p>
<p id="T14BS3">The opening weekend we went 6-0 and flew home knowing that we had something special. That momentum carried us into our second weekend where we played two more Big Ten teams and finished 5-1. It was those games that served as the first glimpse the softball world got of just how special Morgan Newport was, as she hit her first walk-off home run of the season against <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a>. </p>
<p id="YodYVz">That game is when the phrase, “I choose us”, came alive for out team, conveying the belief it held in every one of my teammates’ hearts that we were never out of the game. </p>
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<cite>Ryan Kuttler</cite>
<figcaption>Morgan Newport had a year of walk-off homeruns for her final season</figcaption>
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<p id="gRiO3O">We returned to Evanston where we opened up play on our home field with a four-game series sweep of Wisconsin. For almost half the team, it was our first time playing at home due to the 2020 season being cut short, and we quickly learned the remarkable feeling that comes along with playing on the “J”. </p>
<p id="K6a8xf">The rest of the season had moments of exceptional highs and challenging lows. We learned a lot of valuable lessons along the way, learning how to stand back up and keep fighting after an opponent knocks you down. That’s what I’m most proud of with this team, that we had the resiliency to never give up. That fight we maintained all season long eventually punched us a ticket to the NCAA tournament, making us one of only three Big Ten teams to do so.</p>
<p id="upbX2p">While we may have fallen a bit short toward our goal of a Big Ten title and making it to the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a>, we showed everyone just how close we are to reaching it. We as a team know what we are capable of, we know how just how close we are in those bigger games to accomplishing our goals, just a couple of hits away in each of them. The reality is that the ball did not fall our way. At least not yet. </p>
<p id="xbHTg7">I am confident that this season left us hungry and motivated to do everything we can during this off-season to take the next step. We want to reach our goals next season, and we will. </p>
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<cite>Ryan Kuttler</cite>
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https://www.insidenu.com/2021/6/2/22458813/time-to-reflect-and-buildSydney Supple2021-01-23T20:31:05-06:002021-01-23T20:31:05-06:00Rapid Reaction: Northwestern falls late to Penn State 81-78 for seventh straight loss
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<figcaption>Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The contest went down to the wire, but the Nittany Lions made one more play. </p> <p id="JrLcOn">In a game Northwestern desperately needed amidst a six-game losing streak, the Wildcats (6-8, 3-7 Big Ten) fell 81-78 to Penn State (5-6, 2-5) Saturday night after sophomore guard Chase Audige missed a contested attempt at a game-tying three with two seconds left.</p>
<p id="EkfHdd">Despite strong performances from junior forward Miller Kopp (19 points) and sophomore point guard Boo Buie (18 points) and a strong overall shooting night (49.2% FG, 42.3% 3PT), NU’s offense fell flat in the final three minutes. It hit just one of its last eight attempts, as the Nittany Lions overcame sixteen turnovers to deal the Wildcats their seventh straight loss.</p>
<p id="hnkdTg">Penn State played its fourth game in seven days and was coming off a win over <a href="https://www.onthebanks.com">Rutgers</a>, and its fatigue showed. Both teams played with good energy but sloppiness dominated, especially early. Northwestern competed in a back and forth battle and held a four-point lead with 4:24 left, but ultimately never one big enough to hold off PSU. </p>
<p id="z9Nk71">The ‘Cats started cold, missing their first four shots, all of which were threes, as Penn State forced its way into the lane and took an early lead. A Pete Nance dunk followed by a transition three from Miller Kopp put NU up 5-4 at the first media timeout. </p>
<p id="cuNBO9">Once NU took the lid off the basket, it stayed hot from the field. Robbie Beran and Boo Buie then both hit from deep as part of a run in which the Wildcats hit seven of their next ten shots.</p>
<p id="9UE5eR">As the teams began to find their offenses, they began to turn the ball over as well. The two squads combined for 21 first-half turnovers. Northwestern also continued to commit fouls, as Nance’s second foul put PSU into the bonus with nine minutes left in the first half. </p>
<p id="PuxukS">The teams continued to trade baskets, and NU led 21-20 with just over seven minutes before halftime. But turnovers continued to hamper the ‘Cats and Nittany Lions before Penn State ripped off a 7-0 run and never trailed for the rest of the half as NU went through a field goal drought of 4:39. </p>
<p id="S1atPl">Penn State extended its lead to as many as eight, but NU showed good resolve in not letting the game get away. Buie hit two more triples to even the score at 33 in the final minute of the half before Myreon Jones scored five straight, including a buzzer-beater to give PSU a 38-33 lead.</p>
<p id="cxTqdu">Kopp keyed a 10-0 run for Wildcats by hitting his second three of the game, and Buie followed suit with his fourth make from downtown. They took a 45-44 lead at the under-16 media timeout.</p>
<p id="wNdZzM">But Penn State punched right back with an 8-0 run of its own to claim a five-point lead, and that back-and-forth feeling remained down the stretch. Every bucket by one side cued a response from the other as Penn State, after NU took a one-point lead, held 60-58 advantage with 10 minutes left.</p>
<p id="yDhQl4">Neither team built a lead bigger than four for nearly eleven minutes, as things remained close as time wound down. NU held the slimmest of leads, 73-72, with 3:10 left before the Nittany Lions mounted one final surge. </p>
<p id="AK9ZCM">PSU took a six-point lead after Jamari Wheeler nailed a three, but Northwestern wouldn’t go away, as Pete Nance drained a corner three with 35 seconds left, and the Nittany Lions missed three free throws to keep the door open.</p>
<p id="9mc8TI">Kopp made two free throws to bring the score to 79-78 with 12 seconds left, but Izaiah Brockington, who led all scorers with 21 points, made two foul shots to pad the PSU lead to three before NU drew up a play for Chase Audige. The guard, who was just 2-for-10 shooting, took an off-balance attempt for the tie that missed the rim right before time expired. </p>
<p id="KHCC2u">The ‘Cats have eight days to think about this loss, as they have an extended break before taking on Rutgers next Sunday at home. </p>
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https://www.insidenu.com/2021/1/23/22246455/rapid-reaction-northwestern-falls-late-to-penn-state-81-78-for-seventh-straight-lossSydney Supple2020-12-23T13:59:04-06:002020-12-23T13:59:04-06:00Where are we Wednesday: Close but not complete
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<figcaption>Northwestern falls short of a Big Ten title, but knows a championship is within reach | Ryan Kuttler</figcaption>
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<p>One quarter and one game away from a program changing finish. </p> <p id="3I0xGz">For years, <a href="https://www.insidenu.com">Northwestern</a> football has fought tooth and nail for respect. Respect from people all across the country to recognize that a small school with athletes who are held to a high academic standard could possibly compete amongst the giants of college football. </p>
<p id="XgiapB">Game after game in 2020, the Wildcats kept turning heads as they climbed the polls, showing everyone they were not a team to overlook. With each win that came, the confidence grew within the program, but the rest of the country continued to question just how talented NU was. </p>
<p id="m3FNKR">The Big Ten Championship game against <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> was the ultimate test for the Wildcats, to prove they could compete with the big dogs on one of the game’s biggest stages. They came one quarter short of changing the minds of the doubters. </p>
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<cite>NU Athletics</cite>
<figcaption>True freshman Cam Porter scored the first of the game, giving NU a lead it maintained until late in the third quarter.</figcaption>
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<p id="dCz9uh">After being the first team of the year to stop Ohio State from scoring a touchdown on its opening drive, NU held them out of the end zone until the Buckeyes took their first lead of the game, 13-10, late in the third quarter. </p>
<p id="zgz7XL">From then on, OSU steadily imposed its will to salt things away.</p>
<p id="axJZzB">As the Wildcats acknowledged postgame, coming close isn’t good enough. It does, however, raise the bar and motivation to meet higher expectations. </p>
<p id="ldNyBq">“To be here now two out of three years is really special, but the next step will be even more so,” Fitz said. </p>
<p id="VJwjDI">While the what ifs are still being talked about by Northwestern fans, and the doubters return to question the sustainability of NU’s success, the players know and feel how close they are to earning the respect of a top-10 team.</p>
<p id="E2lOeq">Fifth-year senior Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman reflected on the transformation of the program during his Wildcat tenure.</p>
<p id="wWDqIZ">“I’m honored and humbled to be a part of the wave that sends us to the next goal, the great goal, which is a Big Ten Championship and to compete after that wherever the cards lay,” he said.</p>
<p id="1o49XB">The ‘Cats have the opportunity to put a bow on what’s been an impressive season — both on and off the field — on New Year’s Day in the Citrus Bowl against Auburn. Facing a historical college football powerhouse from the most respected conference in the nation, NU could walk away with its fourth-consecutive bowl win — the longest streak in school history. And, the Wildcats could come away with their best bowl victory since they won the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/rose-bowl">Rose Bowl</a> in 1949.</p>
<p id="mgcnso">Northwestern has earned those big-time wins, bringing them closer to championships and closer to the respect afforded to other Big Ten programs. Now they need to close the gap between good and great.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2020/12/23/22195039/where-are-we-wednesday-close-but-not-completeSydney Supple2020-12-11T14:09:50-06:002020-12-11T14:09:50-06:00Three takeaways from Northwestern’s dominant season opener against Eastern Illinois
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<p>NU women’s basketball picked up right where it left off: winning. </p> <p id="MXRcB7">Northwestern women’s basketball walked away victorious last night against its first opponent, Eastern Illinois. The Wildcats not only won by 43 points, but they were just shy of hitting 100 points themselves. This is only the first of what should be many wins for this team. Here are three reasons as to why they saw such success in game one. </p>
<h2 id="bTl7Cr"><strong>The Blizzard defense hasn’t lost any steam</strong></h2>
<p id="cuwGJp">Northwestern’s defense was lights-out once again, especially in the second and third quarters, holding EIU to just 57 points total and 18 points in those two frames. After a dominant defensive campaign last year, NU looked to play to its strengths on that end of the court again this season and certainly started on a strong note.</p>
<p id="tkuwXO">“We picked up where we were last year, because of our defense,” Joe McKeown said postgame. </p>
<p id="wrLi9O">The Wildcats made it nearly impossible for their opponent to do anything on offense let alone feel comfortable with a basketball in their hands, as NU forced 24 turnovers and recorded 16 steals in the matchup. Veronica Burton is known for her sneaky swipes, so it was no surprise that she totaled five steals by the end of the night. Sydney Wood came out equally strong forcing five of her own, along with three other players contributing the remaining six. Those steals led to 20 fastbreak points and 32 points off turnovers for the Wildcats, as they continued to hold the momentum throughout the game. </p>
<h2 id="GLLxig"><strong>Every Wildcat made significant contributions on the offensive end</strong></h2>
<p id="ICjo2J">Racking up 93 points in game one is almost as impressive as having 10 different players contributing to that total score. Despite graduating three key rotation players, including two starters, Northwestern flexed its depth with each player contributing in their minutes.</p>
<p id="LszK3h">All five starters scored 10 or more points with Burton and Lindsey Pulliam putting on a show, charting 21 and 18 points each. What was more impressive, though, was their efficiency, as the two scored almost 40 points in 23 shot attempts.</p>
<p id="nZUbYH">Courtney Shaw, Jordan Hamilton and Wood were all effective contributors as well, combining for 38 points.</p>
<p id="MDcsiE">A big factor of Northwestern’s offensive talent is the overall athleticism with players having the ability to play multiple positions, such as Wood who has earned minutes at all five spots. Along with having physically talented players, McKeown preaches the importance of unselfish play, which is an attribute the team has worked hard to embody. </p>
<h2 id="1Nwzqf"><strong>NU is prepared to bring its own juice</strong></h2>
<p id="6Jakut">From tip-off to the final horn, all you could hear from inside the stadium or behind a computer screen was the loud chatter from the Northwestern players cheering on one another. Despite the lack of fans, the Wildcats showed that they, like their fellow athletes on the football field, will have no problem bringing their own juice this year.</p>
<p id="rOLclH">“We feed off of each other,” Pulliam said. “If one person has an energy, we get hyped up off of that.”</p>
<p id="LuOoJp">Especially as many of the younger or less-experienced players earned their minutes, you heard the Wildcats full of energy and excitement for freshmen Paige Mott and Jasmine McWilliams who scored their first career points in the matchup. Based on the energy and confidence they played with, it became clear that the team knows that last year’s magic is set to continue during this unprecedented season.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2020/12/11/22170065/three-takeaways-from-northwesterns-dominant-season-opener-against-eastern-illinoisSydney Supple2020-12-10T12:34:47-06:002020-12-10T12:34:47-06:00Women’s basketball: NU looks to finish telling last year’s story
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<figcaption>2019-20 Big-Ten Champions look to defend their title and more. | NU Athletics</figcaption>
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<p>The Wildcats ranked 11th before the pandemic hit, and they begin this campaign 17th in the polls.</p> <p id="Cg0Vob">For the 2020 Big Ten Champions, this season is all about erasing the question of last season’s “what could have been” with “what could be in store.”</p>
<p id="SdPsLe">The Wildcats are coming off of a record-breaking year during which the team went 26-4, set a school record for wins in a regular season and clinched the program’s first conference title in 30 years. </p>
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<cite>NU Athletics</cite>
<figcaption>Northwestern claimed the 2019-20 Big-Ten Conference Title.</figcaption>
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<p id="ToVwf0">All the momentum was in Northwestern’s court, as the team prepped to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. NU’s entire starting lineup earned some sort of all-conference honors, and beyond the starting five, the bench ran deep with multiple players contributing to countless wins from their jump shots, rebounding and the never-ending hustle they brought when stepping onto the court. </p>
<p id="KhQy4J">Just as the Wildcats were set to reveal themselves to America as one of the country’s best-kept secrets, COVID-19 canceled the NCAA Tournament and forced an abrupt, premature ending to a season Northwestern was not yet ready to say goodbye to. Seniors went from the excitement of their last post-season run to turning in their purple uniforms and cleaning out their lockers at Welsh-Ryan Arena, having played their final games without knowing it at the time.</p>
<p id="FMBOoI">But after almost nine months of waiting and wondering how high the ceiling can be for the Northwestern, the time has finally come for its title-defending year. </p>
<p id="I8t5Q4">The Wildcats will host their season opener on Thursday against Eastern Illinois with all eyes on them as they have already garnered national respect in the preseason. In the latest AP and Coaches Polls, NU ranked 17th in the nation in both and is prepared to remain in the national spotlight as it competes with skilled Big Ten opponents like No. 14 Maryland and No. 15 Indiana.</p>
<p id="11YX8Z">However, the team has some challenges of its own to overcome this season after graduating starting posts Abbie Wolf and Abi Scheid. Their departure leave’s Joe McKeown’s frontcourt without much experience, so the Wildcats will have to rely more heavily on some less familiar faces.</p>
<p id="chOBoH">Courtney Shaw will undoubtedly step into a much larger role this year as the only true post in the starting lineup. Her athleticism and defensive prowess often jumpstarted the team off the bench last season and will continue to make an impact as she joins the starters.</p>
<p id="p9hY0N">Alongside Shaw, a veteran guard unit returns to likely comprise the remainder of the starting five with AP All-American honorable mention and All-Big Ten first-team guard Lindsey Pulliam returning for her final season in Evanston. 2020 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Veronica Burton, as well as Sydney Wood and Jordan Hamilton, will take the court once again, as one of the best backcourts in the nation hopes to lead this team to another conference title.</p>
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<cite>NU Athletics</cite>
<figcaption>All-American Lindsey Pulliman is predicted to do big things this season as a senior. </figcaption>
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<p id="TWVlYX">Despite the talent that returns, the team welcomes a few new faces and will also look to some of last year’s bench players to assume larger roles. Freshmen Anna Morris, Paige Mott and Jasmine McWilliams will all play their first collegiate game on Thursday night while other young players like sophomore Laya Hartman will see their minutes likely shoot up early this season.</p>
<p id="1Z05dp">With a forgiving schedule and such talent on the roster, Northwestern is in store for another year of success, but if it hopes to replicate its 2019-2020 campaign, the team will have to persevere against a competitive conference slate with five teams in the top 20. </p>
<p id="16umFW">But if NU can come away with big wins in conference play and take care of business early on in the nonconference, the Wildcats will finally get that NCAA Tournament run they’ve been longing for.</p>
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https://www.insidenu.com/2020/12/10/22156932/womens-basketball-nu-looks-to-finish-telling-last-years-storySydney Supple2020-11-24T09:45:15-06:002020-11-24T09:45:15-06:00Northwestern women’s basketball player previews 2020-2021: G Lauryn Satterwhite
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<figcaption>Satterwhite and the Northwestern Women’s Basketball team look to defend their Big 10 Championship Title | Northwestern Athletics</figcaption>
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<p>The redshirt junior will provide more minutes this season and continue to be a leader on and off the court.</p> <p id="h75KNK"><em>It’s that time of year again. Even with football season in full swing the women’s basketball season is right around the corner. To kick off our 2020-2021 coverage of the women’s team, we will preview each player on </em><a href="https://www.insidenu.com/"><em><strong>Northwestern</strong></em></a><em>’s roster. Next up is sophomore guard Lauryn Satterwhite.</em></p>
<h1 id="MCEB1t"><strong>Who she is</strong></h1>
<p id="Gdy5fe">Redshirt junior; 5-foot-7; Avondale, AZ</p>
<h1 id="sGu7t0"><strong>Stats</strong></h1>
<p id="epLt27">5.3 minutes per game; 0.7 points per game; 0.7 rebounds per game; 0.6 assists per game; .227 FG%, .167 3PT%, .333 FT% </p>
<h1 id="luTCSw"><strong>2019-2020 review</strong></h1>
<p id="phcHgV">After sitting out her freshman year from a lower-body injury, Satterwhite has only grown in her contributions on the court over her last two healthy seasons. The standout line-up and depth of talent Northwestern had last season at guard made it hard for Satterwhite to find a lot of minutes, but each game her number was called, she proved to be ready. </p>
<p id="xcuesW">Satterwhite had two points and an assist in the win over Loyola Maryland and only went up from there. She collected two crucial assists in only four minutes of an overtime victory over Marquette and dominated on defense with a season-high five rebounds, four assists, and three steals in a victory over Colgate. She also contributed through scoring and rebounding against Dartmouth, Illinois, and Michigan State. </p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/32JACuV8k2nVSxoZ-Gr5s5M4zZg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22050227/IMG_1203.jpg">
<cite>Northwestern Athletics</cite>
<figcaption>Satterwhite capitalized on every opportunity she was given during the 2019-2020 season when being placed into games.</figcaption>
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<h1 id="Lpjv4L"><strong>Strengths</strong></h1>
<p id="MaKKJr">Satterwhite is the definition of a true team player — someone who does everything they can to help her team win whether on the bench or on the court. While she may not be someone you see in the mix at all times when she is on the court, she is always looking to set her teammates up for success with her assists. As for the defense side, she does not let her height limit her by going for every rebound she can when in the game.</p>
<p id="dgNmA7">When she did enter the game in her past two seasons, Satterwhite often brought a necessary boost of energy off the bench and provided solid minutes to reliever her fellow guards Lindsey Pulliam, Veronica Burton and Syndey Wood. And year after year, her teammates praise not only her leadership but her infectious personality that motivates them to play their best.</p>
<h1 id="jvdarj"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h1>
<p id="0Z84Hf">The biggest weakness is not looking to score enough on her own. While creating a shot for others is important, she needs to capitalize on creating her own shot at times as well, especially in this deep guard group that she’s competing for time in. While she brings the energy, her statistical performance has not been up to par with those of Pulliam, Wood, Burton or Jordan Hamilton, often leaving Satterwhite on the bench longer than the others.</p>
<p id="hbLj6z">Especially as teams start to limit her fellow guards, Satterwhite will need to become a more reliable scorer and creator off the bench to step up when her number is called.</p>
<h1 id="JLHAXK"><strong>Expectations</strong></h1>
<p id="hU6UGG">Entering the preseason, Satterwhite’s name has been mentioned must more than before by her coaches and teammates as a player who has pleasantly surprised them during preseason practices. Last season, she proved she had what it took to compete with any team she was given minutes against and will only look to add to that, as she will be expected to contribute more minutes this season with the loss of vital players from last year’s squad.</p>
<p id="Yrg5Wm">While Northwestern did not lose any of its starting guards and return four players in that group all capable of starting, the team is expected to run a shorter lineup with four guards and a center to account for the loss of Abi Scheid and Abbie Wolf in the post. This means that Satterwhite will have even more of an opportunity to play this year and must be ready to come off the bench and contribute.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2020/11/24/21573233/northwestern-womens-basketball-player-previews-2020-2021-g-lauryn-satterwhiteSydney Supple2020-10-28T10:00:42-05:002020-10-28T10:00:42-05:00Where are we Wednesday: Building momentum
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<img alt="Maryland v Northwestern" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/c6dn3nkDszd-QFNLHvufnOG0FYU=/135x0:4190x2703/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67701681/1282060664.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Northwestern scores 43 points to get the victory against Maryland in their home opener. | Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Wildcats made a statement last Saturday and look to carry over the energy they built into Week 2 at Iowa.</p> <p id="A38Sls">The wait for <a href="https://www.insidenu.com">Northwestern</a> football was well worth it after watching the Wildcats’ demolished Maryland 43-3 in their home opener. </p>
<p id="uQo9Q2">A touchdown from QB <span>Peyton Ramsey</span> on the first drive of the game almost seemed too good to be true, but then the offense put up 30 points in the first half. The high score felt unreal compared to the offensive struggle the team faced last season. </p>
<p id="KRcCDJ">Any viewer who watched the game on Saturday night saw that the Wildcats are a team of new faces, new play calling and newfound confidence. </p>
<p id="VWgy7c">“This was a rebirthing,” sophomore running back <span>Drake Anderson</span> said. “Our offense was able to come together...everyone was flying around.”</p>
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<img alt="Maryland v Northwestern" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hwZTC0-52qGiN_5Rx9jUJvpaYAM=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21993992/1282060558.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Bowser scored two touchdowns in game one</figcaption>
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<p id="hlmeGC">The diversity shown in players who scored on Saturday night is promising for what Northwestern has to look forward to this season, as four players rushed for a touchdown and the offense tallied up an impressive 537 yards. If the Wildcats can continue to see dominant performances from running backs <span>Isaiah Bowser</span>, Drake Anderson, <span>Evan Hull</span> and <span>Cam Porter</span> like they did in game one, the unit will be one that no team wants to face.</p>
<p id="eZ8Vtr">Despite Northwestern’s lack of experience on defense, and having to fill the last second hole at cornerback due to Greg Newsome’s recent inactive status, the defense lived up to the legacy it had in prior seasons as being one of the toughest in the Big Ten by holding Maryland to only 3 points. </p>
<p id="tIVlzc">Players spoke all week about how they would combat the lack of fans by bringing their own juice to the game, and it was clear AJ Hampton and <span>JR Pace</span> came ready to play when they stopped back-to-back drives from Maryland with interceptions. </p>
<p id="b16Ew9">With the momentum in Northwestern’s hands the entire game, the Wildcats hope to hold on to the same energy going into Week 2 when they’ll go on the road to face the <a href="https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com">Iowa Hawkeyes</a>. </p>
<p id="yjMwFJ">Expectations were high for Iowa entering the season, but they dropped their home opener against rival Purdue. Iowa may have had a total of 460 offensive yards but only produced 20 points and showed weaknesses in their first outing by being penalized 10 times for 100 yards. </p>
<p id="h7HMDm">Fitz, however, would not let anyone forget how talented Iowa is during Monday’s press conference. </p>
<p id="NehHXb">“Iowa’s defense is outstanding fundamentally and very consistent,” he said. “The front seven is normally one of the best in the country.” </p>
<p id="eYYhwQ">Is it too bold to say the Wildcats have the upper hand going into this Saturday’s game? Well, only time will tell, but until then, NU will hold on tight to the momentum from Week 1 as long as it can. </p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2020/10/28/21537338/where-are-we-wednesday-building-momentumSydney Supple2020-10-21T11:00:00-05:002020-10-21T11:00:00-05:00Where are we Wednesday: Hope
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<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 30 Northwestern at Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/R-9qE_3DWOnlnA41DpEHhXuk3y0=/0x88:4520x3101/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67666342/1185826562.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The Wildcats are back</figcaption>
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<p>The wait is over, and for the first time in 10 months Northwestern football is back.</p> <p id="LtzDoo">Saturday starts the fall football season we thought might never come. </p>
<p id="JXJakB">After 226 days without a single sporting event on <a href="https://www.insidenu.com">Northwestern’s</a> campus, the Wildcats will end the streak and host Maryland under the Ryan Field lights for their first game of the year. </p>
<p id="qCAZsf">This season will bring a lot of unknowns: how players’ bodies will respond during game time following a shortened training camp and time in pads; the question of players’ health among the pandemic; and the Wildcats’ offensive scheme under new offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian and transfer QB <span>Peyton Ramsey</span>, who will get his first start in purple this Saturday. </p>
<p id="s9Ubee">Despite all of the uncertainties, there is no denying the glimmer of hope this football season brings to NU fans, who have waited almost ten months to be able to cheer on their Wildcats again. While tailgates may not happen in the Ryan Field parking lots and the stands will be barren, fans from across the globe will share a sigh of relief as Saturday marks the end of an exhausting offseason.</p>
<p id="jXrUTE">While other athletes may not be able to compete just yet, watching their football peers lace up their cleats gives them the hope that their time will come in the near future. Football players understand that they are playing for much more than just themselves this season. Multiple players have stated they are using other sports and the long list of medical professionals that worked tirelessly to make this season possible as their fire and energy. </p>
<p id="vpASrx">Coming off the worst season Fitz has had since taking over the program, the Wildcats are looking to get back to winning ways. The tone was set as early as the last offseason when each player received a wristband that said “attitude and accountability.“ The message was direct, and Fitz says the players have put in the work to make the needed difference this season. </p>
<p id="uiJpXF">You can never take an opponent lightly, but Saturday’s matchup against Maryland and a new signal caller with <span>Ramsey</span> under center for NU who defeated the Terps last year provides much hope for the ‘Cats and their fans before heading into a demanding matchup at Iowa.</p>
<p id="4v022v">In a time that feels so isolated, Saturday will be the day that brings alumni, staff and current and future Northwestern students together once again, even if they’re only glued to their TVs.</p>
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https://www.insidenu.com/2020/10/21/21525895/where-are-we-wednesday-hopeSydney Supple2020-09-26T08:52:39-05:002020-09-26T08:52:39-05:00For Northwestern’s players, the return of Big Ten football was the miracle they were hoping for
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/86GsrgN4IGByM4OK8qR3RuqCC_8=/0x0:1200x800/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67473313/DO9JbfNX0AA6_fs.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>via @NUFBFamily on Twitter</figcaption>
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<p>The Wildcats are more than ready to play some football in a month.</p> <p id="pjbYCW">For as monumental as August 11 became when the Big Ten decided to cancel all fall sports competition, September 16 felt even more historic. </p>
<p id="nFgRBH">The conference made a shocking move to go back on its initial decision and reinstate college football for the fall. But during the 36 days leading up to football’s return, players across the Big Ten went through a constant wave of emotions.</p>
<p id="E7rtUM">Northwestern football players were given a short period of time off to grieve the loss of their fall season before the hope of potentially playing later in the school year emerged. Then the unthinkable happened, and the Big Ten announced fall football’s return with the ‘Cats set to have their first game of the season in less than six weeks.</p>
<p id="zNb9Bg">For the players, this news was the miracle that many of them had been dreaming and praying for the last month — and a miracle is exactly what they received. </p>
<p id="Ka1OwR">“Obviously, Twitter is that first way of us getting info a lot [of the time],” defensive back <span>Greg Newsome II</span> said. “As soon as we got that news — I live with a few players on the team — we were so excited. We had in our mind that maybe we’ll play in January or even later than that, so when I got the news, I was so excited. We talked as a team later that day, Coach Fitz talked to us on the unity council.”</p>
<p id="iGluXP">Just like that it was back to business for the ‘Cats, and go time for the season. </p>
<p id="t1LrtV"><span>Riley Lees</span>, one of the Wildcats’ top receivers, did not shy away from the mental health impacts these last few months have had on athletes with the Big Ten going back and forth with their decision making. However, with the recent news, it has definitely had a positive effect on lifting the player’s mental health and spirits.</p>
<p id="c3vBpB">“We’re just grateful to be able to play,” Lees said.” We feel like everything we have set up with the Big Ten and all the testing protocols should be successful and that everybody should be safe and healthy.”</p>
<p id="kvld19">However, it is no secret that many other fall athletes weren’t given the same opportunity as the football players to have a normal season this fall. Newsome went as far as explaining how he plans to use that privilege toward his energy on the field.</p>
<p id="5ubrTV">“Have to use it as a chip on our shoulder,” he said. “We’ve got to play for the other sports that can’t play. I feel bad for them that they aren’t able to play, but we’re going to use that for our energy to fuel us.”</p>
<p id="pU1zGa">As glorious as football in the fall may seem, many still wonder whether football can complete a full season without being shut down or if there will be any post postponements in the middle of it. But those unanswered questions didn’t faze the players in the slightest — for them, winning is the only thing on their mind.</p>
<p id="8Ar6YR">“Whatever games they give us, that’s the games we’ll play,” Newsome said. “We’re not really worried about what’s gonna get canceled or not. We’re just gonna take it week by week, day by day. If they’re allowing us to play, we’re going to play.”</p>
<p id="ggElwx">“I don’t think any of that stuff affects me or any of the rest of us,” Lees agreed. “We’re just worried about what we can control. We’re going with the mindset that we’re prepping to play Maryland in 31 days. That’s our mindset every day.”</p>
<p id="sCscW6">Whether the Wildcats end up playing a complete season or only one game this fall, one thing is for certain: the players are excited to be back, Northwestern’s fans are ready to watch some football, and that is all we will celebrate for now. </p>
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https://www.insidenu.com/2020/9/26/21455677/for-northwesterns-players-the-return-of-big-ten-football-was-the-miracle-they-were-hoping-forSydney Supple