Northwestern basketball vs North Florida: Gameday

by Loretta8 on Dec 16, 2009 2:05 PM CST in Basketball Comment 34 comments

Northwestern is back in action tonight at 8 PM central, hosting the North Florida Ospreys out of the Atlantic Sun conference. For reasons unbeknownst to me, ESPNU is televising this game to a national audience, with Lou Canellis and former Wisconsin point guard Mike Kelley announcing.

North Florida is one of the worst teams on the schedule for Northwestern this season, as they are 1-5 and have reached 60 points just once, in a 21 point loss to Notre Dame. Their only win was 57-46 over lowly Savannah State. They are offensively challenged to say the least. The stat best illustrating that is they are averaging almost as many turnovers per game as made field goals (19.8 to 20.8). So expect North Florida to really struggle against NU's trapping zone and turn the ball over a ton.

The last time these two teams met, Northwestern needed a Kevin Coble putback in the final seconds to win 40-39, in what had to be one of the low points of the Bill Carmody era, as North Florida finished that season 3-26 and was flat out terrible. Northwestern has improved a lot since then obviously, while North Florida is still occupying the second division of the Atlantic Sun. The line reflects that difference, as the 'Cats are 18.5 point favorites, the largest line I can remember seeing for a Northwestern basketball game (in Northwestern's favor that is). And that line seems about right to me. My pick after the jump.....

Northwestern 64, North Florida 39

Expect a very ugly game tonight, with North Florida trying to slow down the tempo to keep it close, but failing because of too many turnovers. It could be reminiscent of this game, where Penn State's guards couldn't get the ball across half court for much of the game. I'd expect Northwestern to struggle a bit shooting and get a little too 3-point happy after their record setting performance last time out, but once they start getting the ball inside against the tiny Osprey front line, they'll take over. I'm not too thrilled about betting NU -18.5, if you want to gamble on something here, under 126 is a much better bet.

Comment here if you're watching, and remember that multiple commenters lead to Northwestern wins. So Go 'Cats!

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osprey

i was way off with my guess of “panthers.” someday i’ll randomly guess an obscure college team name right. someday.

by Rodger Sherman on Dec 16, 2009 2:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The most surprising thing?

That people are actually watching/broadcasting Northwestern non-conference basketball, where Northwestern is the bigger-name team.

I’m seriously not sure what to make of this at all….but I’ll be tuning in, hoping for another explosive game for Crawford, a big lead so Juice can rest, and hopefully a solid game from Shurna (who has quietly slipped a bit as teams keyed on him more, allowing others to get more open shots)

by Chadnudj on Dec 16, 2009 4:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

goddammit

this UNC-Wilmington Wake Forest game is going to run long.

stop fouling you dirty cheaters, its wasting time.

by Loretta8 on Dec 16, 2009 7:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

for serious

call some more timeouts, unc wilmington. you’re only down 12 with three minutes left.

by Rodger Sherman on Dec 16, 2009 8:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

uab 64, cincinnati 47

there’s one spot in the top 25. northwestern would be about the fifth team in line to fill it, but, hey.

by Rodger Sherman on Dec 16, 2009 8:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

i saw a bit of that

cincy looked terrible

by Loretta8 on Dec 16, 2009 8:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

crawford

good start

by Loretta8 on Dec 16, 2009 8:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

oh no oh no oh no

thompson down

by Loretta8 on Dec 16, 2009 8:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

stays in the game

dave eanet gave me a heart attack

by Loretta8 on Dec 16, 2009 8:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

marcotullio in now

please lord let this not be serious

by Loretta8 on Dec 16, 2009 8:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

my viewpoints on the university of north carolina-wilmington

have devolved in the past ten minutes from “moderate indifference” to “pure unadulterated hatred”

by Rodger Sherman on Dec 16, 2009 8:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

agreed

especially if they lose by more than 7.5 points

by Loretta8 on Dec 16, 2009 8:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

are we talking actual betting?

personally, i’m a recovering centsports addict.

by Rodger Sherman on Dec 16, 2009 8:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yes

rage growing

by Loretta8 on Dec 16, 2009 8:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

offense picking up where it left off

by Loretta8 on Dec 16, 2009 8:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

rowley

2 foot shot with no one on you, for christs sake

by Loretta8 on Dec 16, 2009 8:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

u of north florida is eight miles from the beach?

well, northwestern is zero miles from the beach.
unfortunately its completely covered in snow from november to early may. but its still a beach.

by Rodger Sherman on Dec 16, 2009 8:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

leaving them in...

We need to put the hammer down and take them out of this game…the longer they stay in, the more I worry…

by Chadnudj on Dec 16, 2009 8:37 PM CST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

poor defensive effort

by Loretta8 on Dec 16, 2009 8:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

29 threes in 3 halves is probably another Big Ten record

not very happy with the defense though

by Loretta8 on Dec 16, 2009 8:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

that northwestern ad really needs to go.

don’t we have like a top notch film school and stuff? we can’t come up with anything better than that ad? i become extremely uncomfortable every time i hear the voice of the guy who announces it.

by Rodger Sherman on Dec 16, 2009 9:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs