The freshman showed signs of potential in his role primarily off the bench this season
We’ll continue our review of men’s basketball players with freshman Angelo Ciaravino. Although it was a relatively quiet year for the guard, he did have some bright moments and provided a glimpse of levels he can hopefully maintain next season.
The Good
Ranked as a top-five high school prospect in Illinois and named 1st Team All-City by the Chicago Sun-Times, Ciaravino came to Northwestern with a high ceiling and tons of promise. He brought defense and athleticism to the Wildcats bench and gave them some much needed depth — which they relied on heavily after getting hit by the injury bug midway through the season.
To start the season, head coach Chris Collins smartly gave Ciaravino quality playing time and a platform to showcase his skills. He took advantage of those minutes to spark an impressive start, posting seven points in his debut against Lehigh and 12 points against Dayton.
Once conference play begin, Ciaravino saw his minutes decline significantly, but reignited his season with a game-leading 19 points in a loss to Purdue. He became the first Wildcat freshman to score 15+ points in a Big Ten game since Boo Buie, prompting Collins to label him “fearless.”
Following this breakout performance, Ciaravino earned the trust of the coaching staff and saw an uptick in minutes. He started seven consecutive games and transitioned from his role as a depth player to an integral part of the rotation. His season-high 26 minutes against Ohio State was reflective of how much his role had grown. Ciaravino is a blueprint for how one great performance can have a lasting impact, especially as a freshman competing for playing time.
The Bad
While the 19-point performance gave Ciaravino increased playing time, he struggled to justify those minutes down the stretch. Beyond the minimal scoring, Ciaravino was often picked on defensively at times and especially struggled from deep. There were frequent occasions where a few clutch baskets or defensive stops — something Ciaravino could not consistently provide — may have changed the entire game’s outcome. He also struggled as a facilitator, averaging a mere 0.5 assists during the year. When their shot isn’t falling, great players find other ways to get involved on offense, whether it be through rebounding, passing, setting screens or creating space for their teammates through drawing double teams and confusing defenses. These are the steps Ciaravino must take to get to the next level as a two-way player.
The Bottom Line
Ciaravino’s year was quite typical for a freshman basketball player — performances showcasing potential and optimism, but showcasing room for improvement too. When his shot is falling and defense is locked in, Ciaravino easily has the skills to be a starting-caliber player. But as players enter their sophomore season, they can no longer be judged on what they can be, they are judged on what they produce on a consistent basis.
Dependability is key for Ciaravino to regain a more prominent role next season. And the ‘Cats may need it, with their roster undergoing a significant overhaul due to graduating seniors and the possible departure of Nick Martinelli. Ciaravino’s agility and lengthy defense will have to shine bright, particularly against the offensive machines that exist in the Big Ten. His shooting this past season came in streaks and lacked the consistency needed from a starter. Offseason work on his shooting from behind-the-arc would also prove beneficial for Northwestern. With Ty Berry and Jalen Leach graduating, the ‘Cats are searching for someone to emulate their dynamic roles as both spot-up shooters and players who can create their own basket. Given the positions and responsibilities needed, Ciaravino will have a plethora of opportunities to make a larger impact on the court next season.