‘Cats barely avoid disaster again in Barnhizer’s emphatic return.
Coming off an overtime, nail-biting win over Eastern Illinois, the ‘Cats found themselves in another tight tussle with Montana State in non conference play. It wasn’t always pretty, but they found themselves on the winning side again, this time winning 72-69 in regulation.
“Obviously feel very fortunate and happy to win the game,” coach Chris Collins said. “It was the second straight game where we had real game pressure on us, and the positive part of that is that our guys responded.”
Brooks Barnhizer made his awaited return for Northwestern, and the senior reminded everyone why he was named to the Preseason All-Big Ten First-Team. He scored 20 points on 9-of-15 shooting with 10 rebounds—just a little cheeky double-double in his first game action of the season. No biggy.
“It means a lot [to have him back]. He’s one of the best players in the country,” Collins said.
Perhaps the best news from Barnhizer’s first game is that he played 28 minutes and likely would have played more if he didn’t get into foul trouble in the second half. There was one scary moment when he grabbed his hamstring. Hearts of purple and white stopped everywhere. But, overall, he looked healthy and capable of doing everything he does out there.
“It felt good. I’m good. It’s a privilege to be able to grab my hamstring out there again,” Barnhizer said.
Nick Martinelli didn’t slow down in Barnhizer’s return, leading the team with 22 points while also wrangling seven rebounds. The bromance between Northwestern’s two stars is alive and well, and that chemistry was immediately evident on the court–after a slight adjustment period in the first half. Martinelli said after the game that he “just had to adjust to this beast” being out there with him and motioned to Barnhizer. The senior captain was similarly complimentary of his junior running-mate.
“He’s really kind of been my best friend,” Barnhizer said. “It’s no surprise to me that Nick is playing this well because he really works his tail off.”
Wins are wins, but with Barnhizer and Martinelli producing the way that they are, the ‘Cats need to find a way to start beating these non conference opponents by more points. Two underwhelming tight losses isn’t cause for doom, but it’s certainly cause for concern with the Big Ten schedule creeping closer. Collins doesn’t seem overly concerned, though.
“This group that played tonight has probably had about three practices together all year,” Collins said. “I knew that it was going to be a bit of a work in progress.”
One thing Northwestern needs to have more of is complementary scoring from guys not named Martinelli or Barnhizer. Jalen Leach hit some important shots down the stretch for NU, finishing with 12, but Ty Berry was once again underwhelming with eight, and nobody else had more than four.
“All four of those guys who come off the bench, for me, are guys that should be able to give you offense,” Collins said. “We have to figure out how to get more out of them.”
Two of those four are the two first-years, Angelo Ciaravino and K.J. Windham. With Barnhizer back, both of their roles felt somewhat in question heading into this game. He certainly did eat into their minutes just a little, as both played just eight, but Collins said they’ll both continue to be involved.
Ciaravino was especially impressive in his limited minutes, showcasing his twitchy, high-energy play-style and fighting for some important offensive rebounds. Not enough is being said about his jumping ability. The guy is a menace out there trying to get second-chance opportunities for his squad.
“The quicker we can grow him up is going to be the better for our team because he’s a very talented player,” Collins said of Ciaravino. “He’s a live-wire athlete. He’s quick; he’s aggressive; he gets on the boards.”
The mood in Welsh-Ryan Arena could have very easily turned somber if a couple of plays had gone the opposite direction. There are things to clean up if this team fancies itself a dancing type. But, instead, with the win secured, the mood felt joyful. How could it not be with Brooks Barnhizer back out on the floor?
Northwestern’s leader is back, and the ‘Cats needed him. They don’t get this win over a tough Montana State team that’s been to three straight tournaments without Barnhizer. He was immediately a factor in every way NU needs him to be—scoring, rebounding, distributing, playing defense and scoring in the clutch.
He was doing Buie stuff at the end of the game to help secure this win. That’s a positive sign for a team in desperate need of a closer. It feels like the sky’s the limit for No. 13 this season, and the ‘Cats will go as far as he and his curly-haired, flipper-ripping protégé will take them.