Northwestern Wildcats Men's Basketball in 2014 - 2015
The early 2014 - 15 season is only 2 games in but we know 2 things about the Northwestern Wildcats men's basketball team. They do not score very many points, they do not rebound well, they do not like to pass the ball and they shoot poorly. In spite of that, the team has an early 2 - 0 record against a couple of inferior opponents. When your leading scorers are averaging just 12.5 (Junior center Alex Olah) and 11.0 (Sophomore guard/forward Sanjay Lumpkin) points per game, you had better be an especially good defensive team. And while the defensive side of the game looks promising for the Wildcats this year (they are allowing just 57.0 points per game) they have not played anyone decent yet. In a very competitive Big Ten, unless things change quickly, it does not look like betting on Northwestern Wildcats basketball will include a trip to the March Madness tournament in 2015.
Northwestern Wildcats Basketball – Success, Failure and Inconsistency
In 1931 there was no official NCAA tournament. That was the year that the Helms Athletic Foundation awarded the Northwestern Wildcats their Collegiate Basketball National Title. The team was an impressive and nearly perfect 16 - 1 overall, and 11 - 1 in the Western Conference. Since then the school has only won one other conference title, coming 2 years later in 1933. A very successful team during the first part of the 20th century, the Wildcats have not finished above .500 in conference play from 1968 on, entering the 2014 season. Northwestern owns the lowly distinction of being the only significant member of a power conference that has played for so many years without appearing in an NCAA tournament. However, the Wildcats have played in the National Invitation Tournament, where they claim a 5 - 7 record.
Notable Career Statistical Leaders for the Northwestern Wildcats Men's Basketball Team
John Shurna was the Big Ten scoring champion in 2012, and the Northwestern Wildcat was also named as a three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection. The power forward is the Northwestern career leader in points scored. He tallied 2,038 points from 2008 through 2012. Shurna has played NBA basketball for the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks, and currently plays professional basketball overseas. Evan Bruce Eschmeyer was chosen as the 44th pick overall in the 1999 NBA draft by the New Jersey Nets. The Northwestern Wildcats center is the career rebounds leader at the school, with 995 boards snatched between 1995 and 1999. He also played with the Dallas Mavericks from 2001 through 2003.
Resources for Northwestern Wildcats Basketball Fans
Northwestern Wildcats Basketball Team official website
NCAAB Official Website
