Northwestern wasn’t perfect, but there were promising signs all around.
It takes time for a team to gel, especially one with players coming off injury at varying times. In Northwestern’s exhibition matchup against Lewis there were some first half kinks to work out, but also some impressive performances from key players on this new-look squad. An 89-62 victory is never anything to scoff at, even in a glorified scrimmage.
Nick Martinelli looks to have kicked his game into another gear knowing he has to produce more offense this season. The junior finished with 25 points to lead the team on 8-of-13 shooting. He also led the team with six rebounds.
“[Martinelli’s] next step is to be a guy to count on for major production every night, and he’s ready for that,” Collins said. “We’re expecting Nick to have a chance to be an all-conference player.”
And it wasn’t just lefty jump-hooks this time (don’t worry, he’s still got it in his bag I’m sure). Martinelli was driving and cutting like a madman out there on offense, and his jumper was better than it’s ever looked. He also showed off a nasty dribble move towards the end of the first half, destroying ankles as they say, something he probably won’t do regularly but was cool to see for a guy whose handles have been criticized ad nauseam.
Martinelli was encouraging, but Fairfield transfer guard Jalen Leach’s second half was perhaps the most exciting part of this game. After a first half where he looked a bit tentative in his first action with the Wildcats, Leach finished with 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Most importantly he knocked down three triples. As a massive part of the effort to replace Boo Buie and Ryan Langborg’s production, Leach needs to be able to hit the three-ball. Watching his shot in this scrimmage, it looks like he’s certainly capable.
Martinelli and Leach really had to carry the load in the absence of Brooks Barnhizer. Collins’ comments on Northwestern’s preseason All-Big Ten player weren’t exactly encouraging.
“We just have to make sure he’s healthy. He’s doing a little more each day…He has not done anything with contact, so he’s still in a non-contact phase,” Collins said.
Reading the tea leaves, Barnhizer’s status for the opener is at least in question and potentially teetering on the edge of the old-school football designation: doubtful. Collins was clear that Northwestern wouldn’t rush him back, and they shouldn’t. He is the singular most important piece of this roster, and risking further injury would be a catastrophic mistake just to ensure a few non-conference wins.
One of the areas in which Northwestern misses Barnhizer the most is on the defensive side of things. In his absence, second-year Wildcat Justin Mullins made his presence felt–so much so that Collins called him the “unsung hero.”
“I take a lot of pride [on the defensive end],” Mullins said. “I’m looking for any way to help the team.”
It’s always tough to know what conclusions to draw from lineup decisions in a scrimmage, but Mullins played 25 minutes. Collins noted that it was hard to take him out given the way he was playing.
First-year K.J. Windham also got significant run, starting the game and playing 21 minutes. He racked up nine points, all of them coming in the second half as he began to grow comfortable. He also showed off a nice stroke from beyond the arc, knocking down two threes. Collins seems to have confidence in the young guard.
The bigs rotation leaves us with the most questions. Matthew Nicholson started the game at the five, and figures to be the starter in every game this season barring poor play or another injury. But coming off his injury from last season, Collins wasn’t going to let him play too long.
Luke Hunger spelled Nicholson in the first half, scoring eight points. He played 13 total minutes. Transfer Keenan Fitzmorris didn’t play at all in the first half, but totaled seven minutes in the second.
Lewis is a small team, and Collins explained he had to adjust accordingly. He had Martinelli playing the five at times for that reason. So, the minutes split was all out of sorts for the bigs which leaves us pondering how the reserve minutes will be divided between Fitzmorris and Hunger. Time will tell, but the culture of this team is to do what is asked of you.
“I think in any role for us at least, we know that we just need to stick to our principles,” Martinelli said. “We have a bunch of guys that want to do anything it takes to win.”
The ‘Cats did exactly that in their first action at Welsh-Ryan Arena without Boo Buie. The only impact Agent Zero had on this one was the sliver of student section filled with students eagerly awaiting Northwestern basketball – even in exhibition form. Well, guess what, the ‘Cats are back again. And after a slow start, it didn’t look bad at all. Stiffer competition awaits, but the first step was a positive one.
Northwestern will open its regular season Monday against Lehigh with first tip set for 7 p.m. CST from Welsh-Ryan Arena.