Big Ten Team Preview: Northwestern Wildcats

By Ryan Bramwell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breakdown

• 2011-2012: 19-14 (8-10)
• Postseason: None
• Coach: Bill Carmody (12th year)

 

Situation:

• Gone: John Shurna, Luka Mirkovic, Davide Curletti, JerShon Cobb (suspension)
• Back: Drew Crawford, Dave Sobolewski, Reggie Hearn, Alex Marcotullio
• New:  Jared Swopshire, Nikola Cerina, Kale Abrahamson, Alex Olah, Sanjay Lumpkin, Chier Ajou

 

Returning Numbers:

• MIN – 57.6%
• PTS –  53.2%
• 3PM – 60.2%
• REB – 56.9%
• AST – 57.6%

 
Returning Leaders:

• MPG – Sobolewski (35.2), Crawford (34.6), Hearn (26.1)
• PPG – Crawford (16.1), Sobolewski (8.3), Hearn (7.4)
• RPG – Crawford (4.7), Hearn (3.7), Sobolewski  (2.6)

 

Key Players:

• Drew Crawford
• Dave Sobolewski
• Reggie Hearn
• Jared Swopshire

 

Keys to Success:

• Senior Leadership from Crawford and Hearn
• Continued growth from Sobolewski
• Frontcourt play of Louisville big-man transfer Jared Swopshire
• Incoming freshmen: Swingman Kale Abrahamson and aspiring big men Chier Ajou and Alex Olah

 

Projected Starters:

• PG – David Sobolewski
• SG – Reggie Hearn
• SF – Drew Crawford
• PF – Jared Swopshire
• C – Alex Olah/Chier Ajou/Aaron Liberman

 

Blue Ribbon Grades:

• Backcourt: B+
• Frontcourt: B-
• Bench/Depth: B
• Intangibles: B+

 

Preview Links:

• Black Shoe Diaries
• Inside the Hall
• Blue Ribbon at ESPN
• Bleacher Report
• Rant Sports

 

ESPN Team Page:

• 2012-2013 Wildcats

My Prediction:

• 6-12, 10th place