Game Thread: Northwestern vs. Cleveland State

[mshelton33]

Northwestern (2-0) is set to host Cleveland State (1-1). The game will tip at 7:30 pm CT at Welsh-Ryan Arena; it will air on BTN.

Wildcats—donate blood in Abbott and the Big Ten’s We Give Blood competition to help NU win $1 million for campus health initiatives and score a limited edition Homefield t-shirt at bigten.org/abbott/northwestern.

 

[jensberg]

Don't understand why they scheduled back-to-back games with only 2 hours for the first one. They always run late. Sometimes as much as 10 or 15 minutes or more. Which is what is happening with our game tonight.

 

[Deeringfish]

Don't understand why they scheduled back-to-back games with only 2 hours for the first one. They always run late. Sometimes as much as 10 or 15 minutes or more. Which is what is happening with our game tonight.

I WAS wondering why it wasn't coming on B1G Network

 

[TheC]

This might be the most fun NU team I've seen

 

[SmellyCat]

Now THAT was a fast break.

 

[ThatadultfromHolland]

Page and Reid are clearly the best two guys after Martinelli. Gelo is the most improved player.

 

[Deeringfish]

This might be the most fun NU team I've seen

I agree but isn't a lot of it the level of the competition so far?

 

[Deeringfish]

I love the light schedule early in the season to help the guys get used to each other.

 

[ThatadultfromHolland]

Reid pushing the pace and looking to attack is sooooo fun. Especially against the weaker teams. He creates so much even when it doesn’t necessarily result in scores just the threat and requiring the D to get back adds a lot.

 

[SDakaGordie]

I agree but isn't a lot of it the level of the competition so far?

We have never played at this type of tempo, nor been as deep. Nor had as easy a time with lesser teams.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

Nicholbomb!

 

[ThatadultfromHolland]

Reid is has really good vision as a pssser. What makes him an even better passer is how he looks off defenders. Keeps guys open that way.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

Interior D has been weak at times, giving up some layups and offensive rebounds. Thankfully, our offense is on fire.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Arrington Page is a different level of dude

 

[TheC]

I agree but isn't a lot of it the level of the competition so far?

We play some cupcakes every season, but I don't ever remember this pace

 

[jensberg]

Somewhat surprising how little KJ plays. Actually green doesn't play very much either.

 

[ThatadultfromHolland]

We play some cupcakes every season, but I don't ever remember this pace

That pace is called Jayden Reid.

 

[Deeringfish]

Loved Big Matt but he could jump as high as Page.

We play some cupcakes every season, but I don't ever remember this pace

I see what you mean. When you are playing so many guys you can run them maybe plus they just look faster as a team.

 

[ThatadultfromHolland]

Somewhat surprising how little KJ plays. Actually green doesn't play very much either.

Both players need to be hitting from deep to be effective. They’ll catch fire at some point and get their minutes that way. Gelo’s defense is earning him minutes over them.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

That pace is called Jayden Reid.

He’s a part of it but it’s not just him, when thru can an opportunity off the glass they run and push

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Nice to singleton make some smooth moves down low. Other parts of his game are still coming along but his work with the ball has veteran calmness and smoothness already.

 

[ThatadultfromHolland]

He’s a part of it but it’s not just him, when thru can an opportunity off the glass they run and push

Never just one guy. He’s just a very very large part of it. He’s always pushing the pace when the opportunity is there.

 

[SmellyCat]

Page at the half: 15 points, five boards, three assists, one steal, one block. Zero fouls.

 

[BosCat]

Fly Angel(o)....fly

 

[Deeringfish]

I don't remember a season when The Cats were so dominant in the first three games. I mean no one has really challenged them yet.

Page at the half: 15 points, five boards, three assists, one steal, one block. Zero fouls.

Is there a stat for the hustle when he dove recovered the ball passed form his back and they scored. That was pure hustle and athleticism I don't think we have ever seen from a center.

 

[PURPLECAT88]

Mullins thrives at the faster pace. One of his best games so far.

 

[Zazzy]

We play DePaul next. A Big East team. Will be a test of how good we are. I do agree we never consistently blow “lesser” teams away like this year.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

I mean no one has really challenged them yet.

Iowa State...

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Well that was a sizzling half

 

[PURPLECAT88]

I don't remember a season when The Cats were so dominant in the first three games. I mean no one has really challenged them yet.

Is there a stat for the hustle when he dove recovered the ball passed form his back and they scored. That was pure hustle and athleticism I don't think we have ever seen from a center.

He was just showing off for Shon Morris.

 

[wocka]

Page being this good offensively was not on my list. Wow.

Having a team this deep is going to help with consistency. Someone has to get hot every night. Nick will always get his, last game it was Reid and West, tonight it's Mullins and Page.

 

[SmellyCat]

Is there a stat for the hustle when he dove recovered the ball passed form his back and they scored. That was pure hustle and athleticism I don't think we have ever seen from a center.

Yes. One assist.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Mullins thrives at the faster pace. One of his best games so far.

He’s a weapon in transition with his speed and length. That stepback three was eye opening though. If he can shoot…

 

[Deeringfish]

Page being this good offensively was not on my list. Wow.

Having a team this deep is going to help with consistency. Someone has to get hot every night. Nick will always get his, last game it was Reid and West, tonight it's Mullins and Page.

I guess I had read that he was pretty well rounded offensively with a good 3pt stroke and high % from the line.
My worry, without evidence, was "Is there something behind the scene that kept him off the court; bad attitude or lack of hustle or no good in the locker room." he seems to be doing great and I haven't seen any lack of hustle, in fact he is pretty fast coming down the court.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

Nick missing some shots.

 

[jensberg]

Yeah Nick has missed three little flip hook shots of his in a row

 

[Deeringfish]

Nick missing some shots.

Hard to stay hot when everyone else is scoring.

 

[SmellyCat]

Nick missing some shots.

He’s got that streak of 15 or more points. Gotta score three more before they can bring in the backups.

 

[TheC]

Defense slipping a little this half, but love seeing Mullens break out tonight

 

[Deeringfish]

He’s got that streak of 15 or more points. Gotta score three more before they can bring in the backups.

Took care of that in one stroke.