Inside NU - Northwestern men’s basketball player previews 2020-2021Roll Damn 'Catshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52532/insidenu_fav.png2020-11-29T10:16:49-06:00http://www.insidenu.com/rss/stream/213382312020-11-29T10:16:49-06:002020-11-29T10:16:49-06:00Northwestern men’s basketball player previews 2020-2021: Newcomers and reserves
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<p>Two three-star freshmen headline some of these lesser known Wildcats.</p> <p id="9Q8RIa"><em>It’s that time of year again. Even with football season in full swing, men’s basketball season is right around the corner. To kick off our 2020-2021 coverage of the men’s team, we’ve previewed each player on </em><a href="https://www.insidenu.com/"><em><strong>Northwestern</strong></em></a><em>’s roster. To round out our roster preview, here is a look at the squad on the end of the bench, along with some fresh faces who might surprise everybody in year one. </em></p>
<h1 id="kCaFcS"><strong>Ty Berry</strong></h1>
<p id="Sj2lYG"><strong>Who he is</strong></p>
<p id="cw2w8M">Freshman; guard; 6-foot-3; 170 pounds; Wichita, KS; top-150/three-star recruit </p>
<p id="wDWBAQ"><strong>Strengths</strong></p>
<p id="1BTRtR">Watching some of Berry’s high school and AAU tape, it’s clear that his M.O. is his three-point stroke. He has a clean form in his upper body, snapping his wrist and keeping his elbow tucked in picture-perfect fashion. The footwork can get a bit wonky if he’s on the move, which does limit the weaponization of his shooting prowess, but it’s not irredeemably bad in any sense. </p>
<p id="ZPvCfi">Berry’s film also showed he is an adept passer — a sorely missed factor in the Northwestern offense a year ago. While not a master manipulator who creates the creases with his eyes and movements, he doesn’t miss open teammates. Give him a sliver, especially off of the pick and roll, and he’s going to find it. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A very pleasing Ty Berry pass to start your day <a href="https://t.co/jwUo74tojC">pic.twitter.com/jwUo74tojC</a></p>— Daniel Olinger (@dan_olinger) <a href="https://twitter.com/dan_olinger/status/1331255000635375618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2020</a>
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<p id="g4tW8a">Passing is important for Berry going forward due to his 6-foot-3 stature. If he were to play shooting guard in an off-ball role, he’s undersized at 6-foot-3 and becomes a defensive liability. But acting as the lead distributor at point guard, he’ll stand taller than most of his nightly matchups, and his size becomes a strength. Used correctly, he should be able to put pressure on the rim and easily fire pull-up jumpers over diminutive point guards on opposing teams. </p>
<p id="oUfmKV">All in all, Berry should be an immediate positive to the team’s offense barring an inexplicable drop in his deep range shooting percentages. </p>
<p id="Lu25Dd"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></p>
<p id="AHo0JI">Berry’s primary weakness is his shaky left hand. He’s eager to rip to his right off a catch no matter the defender’s position, and when he does attack the rim from the left, a switch to his right hand mid-air is common. </p>
<p id="N8DB0B">This goes in tandem with his less-than-stellar explosiveness and handle. He creates space with skill and savvy, not upper level stop-and-start moves, and he doesn’t soar over the trees when going up for layups, opting in favor of high-glass touch shots. </p>
<p id="SVDrP9">His defense is also a work in progress. Again, his size provides him a baseline level of competence that 6-foot-and-under guards simply don’t have, but his off-ball attention wanes from time to time. He also has a tendency to continually turn his head back and forth between his man and the ball, leading to an occasional embarrassing gaffe. </p>
<p id="0PMtVp"><strong>Expectations</strong></p>
<p id="eNHdDD">Chris Collins will likely opt in favor of starting Boo Buie due to his one year of seniority over Berry, but everything the coach has said thus far indicates that Berry will be in the rotation. How often remains to be seen, but should his shooting reach 40 percent and up at a high volume, his insertion into the starting lineup later this season is a definite possibility. </p>
<h1 id="SUe62E"><strong>Matt Nicholson</strong></h1>
<p id="hmNINu"><strong>Who he is</strong></p>
<p id="RgyTM3">Freshman; center; 7-foot-0; 215 pounds; Clarkston, MI; top-300/three-star recruit</p>
<p id="9FrDeL"><strong>Strengths</strong></p>
<p id="BRVilE">Size is an oversimplification, but Nicholson simply having just enough bulk to bang with beefier giants makes him valuable even if all of his other skills disappoint. At the very least, he’s a big body that you can throw out there without fear of being eviscerated in the post. His post game was effective on tape, however it’s hard to come to any definitive conclusion when most of his defenders in the paint stood five inches shorter than him. He can be a threat with his back to the basket but a pretty minor one in the grand scheme of things. </p>
<p id="8nfGSy">In addition, while not taking many jumpers, his stroke looks fine. There’s a big difference between being able to hit standstill shots outside the paint and hitting them during a high-flying college basketball game, but Nicholson’s stoke is attractive to the eye and offers promise toward a three-and-post-D archetype in his future should he develop in a positive fashion. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Northwestern's freshman center Matt Nicholson has a very pretty stroke from the free throw line, especially relative to most young bigs <a href="https://t.co/mHD9pZhlYP">pic.twitter.com/mHD9pZhlYP</a></p>— Daniel Olinger (@dan_olinger) <a href="https://twitter.com/dan_olinger/status/1331837253648343042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2020</a>
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<p id="Cyf2E1"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></p>
<p id="UIowf7">Foot speed is a minus for Nicholson, as is true for most non-elite bigs. His slips and rolls out of ball screens are often a beat late, and while not vertically challenged, no one would confuse him with Derek Pardon contesting shots at the rim. </p>
<p id="UFvxY8">He could also stand to add more lower body strength, as he was bumped off his spot too easily from time to time. </p>
<p id="HqSyqA">Overall, he strikes me as the heir to Ryan Young in the program and throwback center rather than a new-age big such as Pete Nance or Robbie Beran. He’s not as polished in the post as Young, and his defensive feel off-the-ball needs work, so some ugly moments should be expected this season should he reach the floor. </p>
<p id="s91feo"><strong>Expectations</strong></p>
<p id="Pu8lZY">Unlike Berry, Nicholson is more likely to get buried in the rotation as a first-year, as Northwestern has several returning contributors in the front court. Perhaps Nicholson is redshirted this year, as he definitely has future value as a reliable option at center, but his time to shine is probably not in the 2020-21 season.</p>
<h2 id="PYttS2"><strong>Dom Martinelli</strong></h2>
<p id="xeSWob">A local kid from Glenbrook South, Martinelli committed to Northwestern as a preferred walk-on. Martinelli finished his high school career as Glenbrook’s all-time leading scorer, <a href="https://www.btpowerhouse.com/2020/5/4/21246458/northwestern-wildcats-basketball-lands-local-walk-on-commit-dom-martinelli-stats-recruiting-2020">passing former Wildcats Jeff Ryan, Mike Reeves and Dan Ivankovich</a>. The final freshman in the group will likely see limited minutes this season.</p>
<h2 id="SJhEaR"><strong>Roy Dixon III</strong></h2>
<p id="IqR14V">The 5-foot-11 sophomore guard only saw the court once in the 2019-20 season, but since the backcourt is where NU’s rotation is the least fixed, greater playing time could be in his future. Despite being small in stature, the Atlanta native is a dynamic athlete, as he won the Georgia state championship in long jump with a 23’8.5” jump, breaking his high school’s record by over a foot, according to <a href="http://NUSports.com">NUSports.com</a>. </p>
<h2 id="XWmrGG"><strong>Dylan Sandhu</strong></h2>
<p id="kKLc0L">A redshirt sophomore who once earned the distinction of <a href="https://nusports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/dylan-sandhu/9222">“Best 3 Point Shooter in Michigan”</a> from <a href="http://Miprephoops.com">Miprephoops.com</a>, Sandhu is yet to see the court in Evanston. </p>
<h2 id="YMTc9a"><strong>Eric Zalewski</strong></h2>
<p id="BM8iwj">Zalewski has a truly incredible story, working his way up from team manager to suiting up on game days, <a href="https://www.insidenu.com/2020/3/10/21170408/the-12th-man-eric-zalewskis-journey-from-manager-to-walk-on-northwestern-mens-basketball">a tale that was chronicled by our Brett Haensel back in March</a>. The senior point guard appeared in two games last season. </p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2020/11/29/21612228/northwestern-mens-basketball-player-previews-newcomers-and-reserves-college-big-ten-ty-berryDaniel Olinger2020-11-26T08:50:24-06:002020-11-26T08:50:24-06:00Northwestern men’s basketball player previews 2020-2021: G Ryan Greer
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<p>The junior guard heads into the season as an experienced veteran.</p> <p id="MMOmmd"><em>It’s that time of year again. Even with football season in full swing, men’s basketball season is right around the corner. To kick off our 2020-2021 coverage of the men’s team, we will preview each player on </em><a href="https://www.insidenu.com"><em>Northwestern</em></a><em>’s roster. Up next is guard Ryan Greer, a junior from Atlanta, Georgia.</em></p>
<h2 id="a4iu3r"><strong>Who he is</strong></h2>
<p id="Wd3oUO">Junior; point guard; 6-foot-2; 190 pounds; former three-star recruit; Atlanta, Georgia</p>
<h2 id="0WK4Xk"><strong>Stats</strong></h2>
<p id="szzLHy">8.2 minutes per game, 1.0 points, 0.9 assists, 0.6 rebounds, .333 FG%, .333 3P%, .750 FT%</p>
<h2 id="ACmUeW"><strong>2019-20 Review</strong></h2>
<p id="FLdEIS">Despite entering the season as the team’s only point guard with playing experience, Greer did not receive much playing time. Instead, the Atlanta native saw sporadic minutes off the bench, as Chris Collins often relied on the tandem of graduate transfer Pat Spencer and true freshman Boo Buie to run the point instead. It’s telling that Greer played less last season than he did as a freshman, when he was a backup point guard, especially considering the lack of experience and depth at the position.</p>
<p id="W3XQA0">In his limited playing time, Greer did not make much of an impact on the stat sheet. He shot the ball just 27 times all season, and although seeing the floor in most games, he often went multiple minutes without recording any type of statistic. </p>
<h2 id="yGFbiL"><strong>Strengths</strong></h2>
<p id="zb0lWR">Although it is difficult to make any definitive takeaways from Greer’s sophomore season due to his lack of playing time, he did make major strides as a ball handler. The junior recorded just four turnovers to twenty assists, a major jump from his negative assist-to-turnover ratio from the year before. Greer didn’t make any eye-opening plays from a playmaking perspective, but he did protect the ball well on offense while still managing to direct the offense.</p>
<p id="FCAJ5E">Greer’s energy on defense was another consistent positive. Although the 6-foot-2 guard was never the quickest or most athletic player on the floor, he moved his feet well and pestered opposing guards with constant pressure while rotating well on defense. Greer never shut anyone down, but his increased defensive presence was an encouraging sign.</p>
<h2 id="A2rRWi"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h2>
<p id="VMVeHy">Even from a limited sample of 27 shots, it’s clear that Greer still has big strides to make before becoming any type of threat on the offensive side of the ball. He shot just 21.4% on two-pointers, one of the lowest marks on the team. As one of the smaller players on the floor at all times, Greer had a tendency to shoot floaters when attacking the rim, but he failed to connect on them at a high enough clip to be effective. He will need to resolve his shooting struggles if he wants to make a bigger impact on the floor.</p>
<p id="yREV08">Greer’s lack of a defined role throughout all of last season was also concerning. From the start of last year, it was Pat Spencer, who hadn’t played organized basketball in four years, and Boo Buie, a low three-star recruit, that got the call to run the backcourt. This lack of playing time does not bode well for Greer’s final two years in Evanston.</p>
<h2 id="XjyPZw"><strong>Expectations</strong></h2>
<p id="Qzqms4">Pat Spencer’s departure opens up significant minutes at the point guard position, but the addition of guards Ty Berry and Chase Audige, as well as Anthony Gaines’ return from injury, will make minutes in the backcourt hard to come by for Greer. It’s likely that the junior will play a similar role that he did last season, playing a few minutes per game, but his role on the team could diminish altogether if Berry and Audige impress.</p>
<p id="iPgciq">However, Greer is one of the oldest and most experienced members of the team. Even if his playing time decreases again, Greer could step into a leadership role off the court for this young and still inexperienced backcourt.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2020/11/26/21721310/northwestern-mens-basketball-player-previews-2020-2021-g-ryan-greerDidi Jin2020-11-25T16:33:52-06:002020-11-25T16:33:52-06:00Northwestern men’s basketball player previews 2020-2021: G Anthony Gaines
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<p>Coming back from a shoulder injury, the redshirt junior looks to have a breakout year.</p> <p id="VldEnQ"><em>Even with football season in full swing, men’s basketball is set to start its season in just over one week. To kick off our 2020-2021 coverage of the men’s team, we will preview each player on </em><a href="https://www.insidenu.com/"><em><strong>Northwestern</strong></em></a><em>’s roster. Up next is guard Anthony Gaines, a redshirt junior from Kingston, New York.</em></p>
<h2 id="wOHKZZ"><strong>Who he is</strong></h2>
<p id="DwSDEq">Redshirt junior; shooting guard; 6-foot-4; 210 pounds; Kingston, NY; former No. 1 high school player in New Hampshire, top-150 recruit</p>
<h2 id="YtHHit"><strong>Stats</strong></h2>
<p id="Wck7Rx">26.5 minutes per game; 5.9 points; 3.6 rebounds; 1.7 assists; .375 FG%, .313 3P%, .818 FT%</p>
<h2 id="rPnkiy"><strong>2019-2020 Review</strong></h2>
<p id="lL43dw">Sidelined for the entire second half of the season, Gaines’ third year as a Wildcat was one largely defined by a significant shoulder injury. Even in his 10 appearances, all coming in the front half of the schedule against nonconference opponents, Gaines didn’t quite create the impact the ‘Cats needed from a guy with his experience.</p>
<p id="x4pWjF">On the offensive end, he seemed more hesitant to take the ball to the rack, which can be attributed to his injury but was a bright spot in his game in years past. Gaines’ solid off-ball movement and shifty backdoor cuts gave him plenty of good looks inside, as he shot an impressive 60% on shots at the rim, but his shooting woes from previous seasons continued.</p>
<p id="h2ZgKo">During these 10 games, however, Gaines continued his stellar performance on the defensive end, averaging a team-high 1.4 steals per game including an impressive three-steal game against Radford.</p>
<h2 id="f3jMN2"><strong>Strengths</strong></h2>
<p id="8logF9">With a tall frame and excellent speed and length, Gaines has proven to be an outstanding on-ball defender. His physicality and athleticism, along with his high intensity, have made him a challenging matchup for some of the best guards in the Big Ten. Gaines is also an exceptional rebounder for a guard, leading returning Wildcats’ back court with 3.6 boards per game.</p>
<p id="GyqXMq">On offense, Gaines has shown a solid ability to take care of the ball, averaging 1.1 turnovers per game, which leads NU guards that average 10+ minutes per game. Gaines is also a valuable asset streaking to the rim and can throw it down with authority when his dirty back-door cuts get him under the basket. </p>
<h2 id="FqHtwr"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h2>
<p id="iucaAG">Gaines’ jumpshot has continually left Cats’ fans hanging with his field goal percentage hovering between a subpar 35-to-37% all three seasons. Last year’s 31% percent from beyond the arc was mediocre at best, but a trend in the right direction. His mid-range jumper, on the other hand, hit a career low of 8% on the year (with these shots making up 25% of his attempts). </p>
<p id="JPnlhm">This inconsistency is a liability for the ‘Cats. It will be interesting to see whether he will return from the extended offseason with an even slightly more consistent jumper in his arsenal. </p>
<h2 id="tHfsnV"><strong>Expectations</strong></h2>
<p id="8xPCEP">With a possible extra year of blanket eligibility due to last season being cut short, Gaines has plenty of time to make some progress in his offensive game. However, improving his shooting can’t become a repeated cycle of “maybe next year” until these years run out.</p>
<p id="YTA02y">With the departure of Pat Spencer, Gaines’ 2.5 years of experience in Chris Collins’ system is invaluable, especially in the relatively young NU program. Whether in practice, in the locker room, on the bench or on the court, Gaines’ leadership can set the tone and contribute to giving the ‘Cats an edge down the stretch in tight game. The energy that he brings on the defensive end can also set up some big upsets against powerhouse Big Ten programs.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2020/11/25/21719571/northwestern-mens-basketball-player-previews-2020-2021-g-anthony-gainesNoah Jones2020-11-24T15:01:21-06:002020-11-24T15:01:21-06:00Northwestern’s men’s basketball player previews 2020-2021: F Pete Nance
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<p>Northwestern’s once highly-touted recruit is looking for a bounce back year.</p> <p id="VOs5Gz"><em>Even with football season in full swing, men’s basketball is set to start its season in just over one week. To kick off our 2020-2021 coverage of the men’s team, we will preview each player on </em><a href="https://www.insidenu.com/"><em><strong>Northwestern</strong></em></a><em>’s roster. We’ve looked at transfer </em><span><em><strong>Chase Audige</strong></em></span><em><strong>,</strong></em><em> guard </em><span><em><strong>Boo Buie</strong></em></span><em><strong>, </strong></em><em>forward </em><span><em><strong>Robbie Beran</strong></em></span><em><strong>,</strong></em><em> center </em><span><em><strong>Ryan Young</strong></em></span><em><strong> </strong></em><em>and forward Miller Kopp. Up next is junior forward Pete Nance.</em></p>
<h1 id="yYSNCu"><strong>Who he is</strong></h1>
<p id="clWwUF">Junior; forward; 6-foot-10; 225 pounds; Akron, Ohio; former four-star recruit; brother of Cleveland Cavalier Larry Nance Jr. and son of three-time NBA All-Star Larry Nance, Sr.</p>
<h1 id="hN09os"><strong>Career Stats</strong></h1>
<p id="ZHG7pL">20.9 minutes per game; 6.1 points; 1.2 assists; 4.2 rebounds; .388 FG%; .288 3P%; .617 FT%</p>
<h1 id="Br6DLR"><strong>2019-20 Review</strong></h1>
<p id="w8D8ax">Nance followed up a freshman year, one in which he only saw 14 minutes per game and was dominated by mononucleosis more than anything else, with a sophomore campaign that saw nearly all of his stats increase. He was the fifth highest scorer for the ‘Cats last season, averaging 8.5 points per game with a bump in playing time. </p>
<p id="kyzQ9C">While his defense improved statistically from his freshman year, he struggled to defend against some of the bigger forwards in the Big Ten.</p>
<h1 id="YEQEgU"><strong>Strengths</strong></h1>
<p id="Sq3jBa">While Nance didn’t fare well against some of the bigger forwards last season, such as <a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com">Michigan State</a>’s Xavier Tillman, his defensive versatility is a plus. Nance can defend various positions on the floor, with his main weakness coming against those larger than him. There’s speculation the ‘Cats may use him as a small-ball center, so there’s a chance he has evolved to be able to cover some of the conference’s big men. </p>
<p id="5xvQ2u">On top of his defense, Nance is a decent enough shooter for his size. Last season, he shot 40% from the field as well as 29.7% from beyond the arc. His free throw percentage, while still just 68% last year, improved drastically from his freshman year, when it was a disappointing 42%. Overall, he’s shown an exciting scoring ability but has not been able to translate it into consistency. </p>
<h1 id="33ghU3"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h1>
<p id="3EgtrZ">Ironically, one of Nance’s biggest weaknesses in his strength. As previously mentioned, Nance wasn’t strong enough to match up against the likes of Tillman defensively. </p>
<p id="Fi6qcM">On the offensive side of the ball, Nance struggles from time to time in the post. Additionally, his shot selection was questionable at points last season, often taking low-percentage pull-up jumpers. In general, while his shooting stats were solid, they have room to grow with better shot selection.</p>
<p id="ptHM0F">Dribbling isn’t a trait that big men typically have, and Nance is no exception to that. He can get caught out if pressured with the ball, and his ball-handling must improve if he wants to take the next step.</p>
<h1 id="LyYJUP"><strong>Expectations</strong></h1>
<p id="D64QMw">Coming into his Northwestern career, Nance had extremely high expectations placed on him. He was one of the highest-rated recruits in Northwestern history and, of course, was hyped up a bit due to his bloodline. After a freshman campaign that never got going for several factors, Nance failed to make a significant leap in his second year. He will be expected to take the next step as a junior, even with freshman seven-footer Matt Nicholson coming into the fold. Center Jared Jones transferred out during the offseason, meaning Nance will need to improve his play defensively in he wants to keep pace with some of the best bigs in the country.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2020/11/24/21613150/northwesterns-mens-basketball-player-previews-2020-2021-f-pete-nanceMac Stone2020-11-23T14:46:46-06:002020-11-23T14:46:46-06:00Northwestern men’s basketball player previews 2020-2021: F Miller Kopp
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<p>Northwestern’s most consistent player aims to improve on defense.</p> <p id="7aEZyp"><em>It’s that time of year again. Even with football season in full swing, men’s basketball season is right around the corner. To kick off our 2020-2021 coverage of the men’s team, we will preview each player on </em><a href="https://www.insidenu.com/"><em><strong>Northwestern</strong></em></a><em>’s roster. We’ve looked at transfer </em><span><em><strong>Chase Audige</strong></em></span><em><strong>,</strong></em><em> guard </em><span><em><strong>Boo Buie</strong></em></span><em><strong>, </strong></em><em>forward </em><span><em><strong>Robbie Beran</strong></em></span><em><strong> </strong></em><em>and center </em><span><em><strong>Ryan Young</strong></em></span><em><strong>, </strong></em><em>and next up is junior forward Miller Kopp.</em></p>
<h2 id="a4iu3r"><strong>Who he is</strong></h2>
<p id="Lao58w">Junior; forward/shooting guard; 6-foot-7; 215 pounds; Houston, TX: former four-star recruit</p>
<h2 id="0WK4Xk"><strong>Career Stats</strong></h2>
<p id="szzLHy">24.2 minutes per game; 8.9 points; 1.2 assists; 2.8 rebounds; .398 FG%; .373 3P%; .851 FT%</p>
<h2 id="ACmUeW"><strong>2019-20 Review</strong></h2>
<p id="4WAfJ9">Miller Kopp followed up a freshman season where he started 19 games with a sophomore campaign that saw him blossom into Northwestern’s best and most consistent player. Kopp led the team in scoring with 13.1 points per game, going an impressive 89.6% at the charity stripe and 39.6% beyond the arc. </p>
<p id="5235Tl">However, he left much to be desired on the defense, as he was often a non-factor on that end, averaging a measly 0.5 steals and 0.2 blocks per game. </p>
<h2 id="yGFbiL"><strong>Strengths</strong></h2>
<p id="eznoSt">Kopp is the most talented scorer on the team and one of the best pure shooters in the conference. He finished last season third in the Big Ten in three-point shooting and 15th in overall scoring. His 39.6% shooting from beyond the arc followed up a season in which he averaged 31.9%, marking a 7.7% increase. </p>
<p id="QDAeVe">Importantly, Kopp is consistent. He scored in double figures in 23 of his 31 games last season, and there are few players in the country you’d rather have on the line in a high-pressure situation than him. His 89.6% shooting from the line last season was the best in the Big Ten.</p>
<h2 id="DTxCfC"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h2>
<p id="s4Jg06">Although Kopp is an excellent shooter, his inability to drive and create his own shot prevents him from taking over games, especially on the left. According to <a href="http://hoop-math.com/">Hoop-Math.com</a>, only 11.5% of Kopp’s shots came in the paint and his conversion rate on those attempts was 51.3%, eight percentage points lower than the team average. He needs to improve finishing around the basket to become an offensive force as well as become more of a two-handed threat. </p>
<p id="hFa2fX">Most of his weaknesses come on defense. At 6-foot-7 and 215 pounds, he has the physical build to be a good defender, but he still has a defensive rating that puts him near the bottom of the team with relatively slow feet and below-average defensive instincts. However, it’s not entirely his fault, as Coach Chris Collins needs to reevaluate a poor defensive scheme that finished 12th in the conference in scoring defense last season.</p>
<h2 id="A1qSd1"><strong>Expectations</strong></h2>
<p id="V3npFw">Kopp made a significant leap between his freshman and sophomore seasons, and he will continue to grow this year as the best player on Northwestern’s roster. He gained some muscle over the offseason and carries the expectation that he will further improve, helped by better guard play that should result from the addition of Ty Berry. The Houston native will again be a key cog in the offense that’s aiming for more than three Big Ten wins this season. </p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2020/11/23/21590385/northwestern-mens-basketball-player-previews-2020-2021-f-miller-koppJosh Miller2020-11-22T08:08:14-06:002020-11-22T08:08:14-06:00Northwestern men’s basketball player previews 2020-21: C Ryan Young
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<figcaption>@NUMensBBall</figcaption>
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<p>The sophomore is poised for improvement in his second year starting.</p> <p id="WA1AlW"><em>It’s that time of year again. Even with football season in full swing, men’s basketball season is right around the corner. To kick off our 2020-2021 coverage of the men’s team, we will preview each player on </em><a href="https://www.insidenu.com/"><em><strong>Northwestern</strong></em></a><em>’s roster. We looked at guard </em><span><em><strong>Boo Buie</strong></em></span><em> Thursday, and now we’ll discuss center </em><span><em><strong>Ryan Young</strong></em></span><em>.</em></p>
<h2 id="oHzPF0"><strong>Who he is</strong></h2>
<p id="zG0PsW">Redshirt sophomore; center; 6-foot-10; 245 pounds; former three-star recruit; Stewartsville, New Jersey.</p>
<h2 id="UsdXxS"><strong>Stats</strong></h2>
<p id="UDQgla">25.8 minutes per game; 9.0 points; 6.1 rebounds; 1.5 assists; .535 FG%; .143 3P%; .670 FT%</p>
<h2 id="sDKAVO"><strong>2019-20 review</strong></h2>
<p id="YtPiaM">Young started every game for the Wildcats as a redshirt freshman after the graduation of Dererk Pardon. He led the team in both rebounds and field goal percentage, recording three double-doubles, including a breakout game against SIU-Edwardsville in which he put up career highs with 25 points and 12 rebounds.</p>
<p id="oD7eBR">Young did a majority of his work in the post, taking just 21 three-pointers the entire season. He was efficient in the paint but struggled getting to the line and converting when he made it to the charity stripe. Additionally, he struggled as a paint presence defensively with contesting shots and grabbing rebounds.</p>
<h2 id="fSXzRy"><strong>Strengths</strong></h2>
<p id="LBTOA1">Young excels in post play. The majority of his points came from in the paint, and he was able to showcase impressive moves at times. He showed flashes of brilliance with fancy footwork and spin moves but needs to work on consistently implementing that into his game. He shot 70 percent from the field over an eight-game stretch, showcasing his efficiency when given the rock.</p>
<p id="VrPdfV">Young’s size also comes at an advantage for the ‘Cats. He is able to bully smaller defenders with his physical dominance. Teammates were able to dump it off to him when driving to allow for easy baskets.</p>
<h2 id="Ci8COe"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h2>
<p id="lz4mEC">Young’s main weakness lies in his presence beyond scoring. <a href="https://www.insidenu.com">Northwestern</a> ranked 268th in rebounds last season, in part due to his struggles on the boards. While he led the team in rebounds, NU finished last in the conference in that categoty.</p>
<p id="41b6pn">Young also has not established himself defensively. He averaged only 0.5 blocks per game last season and did not show natural defensive skills. There was a lack of contest on some shots that played into his lack of ability to grab rebounds. He was one of the more consistent ones on a bad defensive ‘Cats team, but he must improve defensively, especially in a conference that sports a plethora of talented bigs.</p>
<h2 id="sgombE"><strong>Expectations</strong></h2>
<p id="tETd79">Young is projected to begin his second season as a starter and should be able to show improvement. He may have been overwhelmed last year as he was at times thrown into the fire of one a tough Big Ten as a freshman. A year under his belt should allow for more confidence and execution. </p>
<p id="EmcJ0F">Young’s 2019 backup, Jared Jones, transferred to Middle Tennessee, but freshman <span>Matt Nicholson</span> should be able to step into the role as backup center to ease the load off of Young. Head coach <span>Chris Collins</span> also said he expects <span>Pete Nance</span> to play some small ball center.</p>
<p id="i1QQ2j">If Young can improve his defense and rebounding, the ‘Cats should see tangible improvement in all facets of his game.</p>
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https://www.insidenu.com/2020/11/22/21583469/northwestern-mens-basketball-player-previews-2020-21-c-ryan-youngMichael Barthelemy2020-11-19T09:07:13-06:002020-11-19T09:07:13-06:00Northwestern men’s basketball player previews 2020-2021: G Boo Buie
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<figcaption>NUSports.com</figcaption>
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<p>The talented sophomore looks to build upon a promising freshman campaign.</p> <p id="7aEZyp"><em>It’s that time of year again. Even with football season in full swing, men’s basketball season is right around the corner. To kick off our 2020-2021 coverage of the men’s team, we will preview each player on </em><a href="https://www.insidenu.com/"><em><strong>Northwestern</strong></em></a><em>’s roster. We looked at transfer </em><span><em>Chase Audige</em></span><em> yesterday, and now we’ll discuss guard </em><span><em>Boo Buie</em></span><em>.</em></p>
<h3 id="a4iu3r"><strong>Who he is</strong></h3>
<p id="Lao58w">Sophomore; point guard; 6-foot-2; 180 pounds; former three-star recruit; Albany, NY; younger brother of former Penn State basketball star <span>Talor Battle</span></p>
<h3 id="0WK4Xk"><strong>Stats</strong></h3>
<p id="szzLHy">25.0 minutes per game; 10.3 points; 2.4 assists; 2.2 rebounds; .376 FG%; .282 3P%; .708 FT%</p>
<h3 id="ACmUeW"><strong>2019-20 Review</strong></h3>
<p id="4WAfJ9">After being thrust into action early in his freshman season due to a depleted backcourt, Buie stepped up immediately. He averaged an impressive 16.3 points and 3.2 assists while shooting 52% from the floor over a five-game stretch in December, securing himself a spot in the starting lineup.</p>
<p id="tXrOBe">However, a foot injury in early January that sidelined him for five games derailed Buie’s hot streak. He never quite returned to December form, as his season-long shooting marks indicate. And although Buie had his moments on the offensive end of the court, he was too inconsistent to establish himself as a go-to scorer.</p>
<h3 id="JOxbRA"><strong>Strengths</strong></h3>
<p id="eznoSt">Buie has the potential to be a major offensive threat, even though his low efficiency from from this past year may not reflect it. He scored 19 points or more in four games this past season, more than any of his teammates besides Miller Kopp. In those games, Buie had a shot 60% from the field shot 59% from three, showing ‘Cats fans he has the ability to score from anywhere on the court. With more consistency off the dribble, he can become the spark plug on offense that Northwestern so desperately needs.</p>
<p id="pA1M60">Buie also showed off some impressive passing skills this past season. Though he was sloppy with the ball at times, he still tossed some eye-catching, full-court passes and displayed playmaking abilities that stood out.</p>
<h3 id="DTxCfC"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h3>
<p id="s4Jg06">While Buie clearly has the tools to become a dynamic player, he has trouble creating space. After demonstrating his shooting prowess early in the season, teams began to play up higher on him, and the freshman guard wasn’t able to adjust. Even with the help of screens, he would often settle for contested shots or end up on the floor after a drive. If Buie wants to elevate his offensive game, he needs to do a better job of overcoming the increased defensive attention that comes his way.</p>
<p id="SHab8C">Defensively, Buie struggled this past season, particularly with guarding the ball. His wiry, 6-foot-2 frame made it difficult for him to fight around screens. He also had a tendency to get lost in the zone that head coach <span>Chris Collins</span> likes to play. In order to become even a mediocre B1G-level defender, Buie will have to be more ready to fight around screens and improve his overall defensive awareness.</p>
<h3 id="A1qSd1"><strong>Expectations</strong></h3>
<p id="V3npFw">Buie returns to Evanston with a year of experience under his belt as NU’s starting point guard. With the departure of guard <span>Pat Spencer</span>, the Albany native is poised to become the primary scorer and ball-handler on a team that struggled offensively last season.</p>
<p id="qC6x42">This year’s additions of <span>Chase Audige</span> and <span>Ty Berry</span>, both of whom seem like immediate impact guards, should aid Buie. But his natural talent to score the basketball will determine his success. Buie will have to prove that the flashes of excellence he showed last year were no fluke. If he can develop that consistency, Northwestern fans should be hopeful for, at the very least, more than three conference wins this season.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2020/11/19/21574286/northwestern-mens-basketball-player-previews-2020-2021-g-boo-buieDidi Jin2020-11-18T10:12:55-06:002020-11-18T10:12:55-06:00Northwestern men’s basketball player previews 2020-2021: G Chase Audige
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<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>As Steely Dan once said, William & Mary wouldn’t do for the former CAA All-Rookie.</p> <p id="uowfwx"><em>It’s that time of year again. Even with football season in full swing, men’s basketball season is right around the corner. To kick off our 2020-2021 coverage of the men’s team, we will preview each player on </em><a href="https://www.insidenu.com/"><em><strong>Northwestern</strong></em></a><em>’s roster. We looked at forward Robbie Beran yesterday, and next up is guard Chase Audige.</em></p>
<h3 id="a4iu3r"><strong>Who he is</strong></h3>
<p id="Lao58w">Redshirt sophomore; 6-foot-4; 200 pounds; Coram, NY; transfer from William & Mary</p>
<h3 id="0WK4Xk"><strong>Stats</strong></h3>
<p id="szzLHy">2018-19 (at W&M): 9.6 points per game; 29.2 minutes; 4.1 rebounds; 2.4 assists; .470 FG%; .371 3FG%; .677 FT%</p>
<h3 id="ACmUeW"><strong>2019-20 Review</strong></h3>
<p id="kowPUs">Audige entered the transfer portal, along with four of his teammates, following the departure of William & Mary head coach Tony Shaver. He chose NU over the likes of Wake Forest, Providence, and Nevada and sat last season out in accordance with NCAA rules. </p>
<p id="fm0oSz">The transfer had an impressive freshman campaign in Williamsburg, as he was named to the Colonial Athletic Association’s All-Rookie team and won the VaSID Rookie of the Year, awarded to the best newcomer in the Commonwealth of Virginia (over Kihei Clark??). The New York native started 21 games for the Tribe, with 17 of those starts coming in conference play. In CAA games, he averaged double-figures in scoring and shot over 40 percent from three. He scored a career high of 24 points in a 93-88 loss to UNC-Wilmington. </p>
<p id="jiv59N">However, Audige arrives in Evanston more renowned for his defensive prowess than his contributions on the offensive end. Awarded William & Mary’s co-defensive Most Valuable Player, he led the Tribe with 44 steals, the second most in program history, while averaging 1.5 swipes per game, good for fourth in the conference.</p>
<h3 id="lvZ6EZ"><strong>Strengths</strong></h3>
<p id="cleUlk">Audige has phenomenal athleticism and impressive length. An energetic and intelligent defender, he demonstrated an ability to obstruct passing lanes and pressure ball handlers throughout his freshman season. His fundamentals and defensive acumen compliment his unrelenting hustle.</p>
<p id="WMt2JA">On the other side of the court, Audige has shown flashes of upside. His shooting percentage from beyond the arc was solid, and he consistently served as a scoring option for the Tribe, reaching double figures in 13 of 20 conference contests. He led CAA freshmen in effective field goal percentage (eFG%) and finished in the top 15 of the conference in that metric, <a href="https://kenpom.com/playerstats.php?s=eFG&y=2019&f=CAA">according to KenPom</a>. He also dunked 19 times in 30 games.The ‘Cats only had 26 team dunks last season.</p>
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<h3 id="3eSCeP"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h3>
<p id="x4B8SY">Inexperience is perhaps the biggest intangible weakness that could hinder his first season in Evanston. It’s hard to gauge how Audige will adjust to the life in the Big Ten, especially after sitting a season out. The transition from the Colonial Athletic Association could prove to be challenging. Simultaneously, can he maintain the positive momentum of his freshman season after a year of watching, rather than playing, competitive basketball?</p>
<p id="7GwAJ9">From a more fundamental standpoint, although he shot nearly 38 percent from beyond the arc, 89.7 percent of his makes were assisted, indicating a reliance on spot-up shooting without creating looks of his own, a problem not exclusive to him on this team. </p>
<h3 id="e3pt6o"><strong>Expectations</strong></h3>
<p id="jlpqOq">Audige is a popular pick for a breakout this season. His athleticism probably surpasses that of Boo Buie and Ryan Greer, while his proven defensive capability should be a boost for a <a href="https://www.insidenu.com">Northwestern</a> team previously reliant on the perimeter presence of Anthony Gaines. </p>
<p id="mmHSaF">There is a real possibility Audige could start on the wing alongside Buie, if he isn’t a primary bench option in rotation with Gaines and Ty Berry. Even off the bench, he’ll add some much needed energy and three-point shooting to a young, inexperienced Northwestern backcourt.</p>
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https://www.insidenu.com/2020/11/18/21570645/northwestern-mens-basketball-player-previews-2020-2021-g-chase-audigeColin Kruse