2022 Record: 22-12 (12-8)

Head Coach: Chris Collins (Career Record 153-161)

Projected Rotation:

PG: Boo Buie (17.3 Pts, 3.4 Reb, 4.5 Ast)

SG: Ty Berry (8.5 Pts, 4.8 Reb, 1.1 Ast)

SF: Ryan Langborg (Princeton 12.7 Pts, 3.1 Reb, 1.6 Ast)

PF: Brooks Barnhizer (7.6 Pts, 4.9 Reb, 1.1 Ast)

C: Matthew Nicholson (6.3 Pts, 5.4 Reb, 1.2 Ast)

6: C Blake Preston (Liberty 6.7 Pts, 5.1 Reb, 1.4 Ast)

7: SG Justin Mullins (Denver 9.8 Pts, 3.1 Reb, 1.1 Ast)

8: SF Nick Martinelli (2.6 Pts, 1.5 Reb, 0.4 Ast)

9: PF Luke Hunger (2.7 Pts, 1.3 Reb, 0.2 Ast)

10: PG Jordan Clayton

11: PF Blake Barkley

12: PG Parker Strauss

Northwestern is coming off one of their best seasons in program history, however they had to replace some of the players they lost this offseason including Chase Audige. Northwestern’s most notable returner is PG Boo Buie. He has been a staple for this Northwestern program the past 4 seasons averaging double figures each year. Buie can be inconsistent from the floor at times but he has that leadership quality that every coach looks for and he doesn’t let missed shots get to him. He had his best shooting season last year at 40% overall and 32% from three. He is a better three point shooter than that mark and is capable of higher. Buie is very capable of averaging 20PPG this season and will take on a new leadership role for the Wildcats following the departure of Audige. Also returning to the Wildcats backcourt is SG Ty Berry. He only shot 34% this past season overall and that number will have to come up as Northwestern needs an offensive boost. Berry is also one of the better defenders on the team and really excels on that side of the ball.

Additional returners for the Wildcats are Brooks Barnhizer and Matthew Nicholson. Barnhizer is a player that could be primed for a breakout season. He has great size and length for his position. He’s also a better shooter than his numbers reflect. He made massive improvements from his freshman to sophomore season and should keep on improving into a double figure scorer. Barnhizer also defends at a high level and will be a key contributor on both sides of the ball. Nicholson is an elite rebounder and finisher around the rim. He will have even more of a role than he did last year which could lead to him having many double double games. Forwards Nick Martinelli and Luke Hunger are also returning and saw limited action last season. Martinelli especially should be a bigger part of the rotation but Hunger as well is starting to develop and has a chance to be a consistent member of the rotation this season.

Northwestern also went into the portal to fill the remaining spots on their team. The Wildcats added big man Blake Preston from Liberty and SG Justin Mullins from Denver. Preston had very good numbers analytically this past season with the Flames. He finishes very well from 2 and shot 66% from the field this past season. He also does well at rebounding and defending the rim. He will be a nice piece off the bench to relief Nicholson. Justin Mullins had a very intriguing freshman season with Denver. He averaged just shy of 10PPG and 3RPG. He shot 52% from the floor and 37% from 3. He’s still a developing player but has the tools to make an immediate impact and surprise people.

The most notable transfer that Northwestern added this offseason was Princeton guard Ryan Langborg. He started every game for Princeton last season averaging 13PPG and 3RPG. He was a key factor in Princeton making their cinderella run to the Sweet 16. Langborg shouldn’t have too much of a problem adjusting to the increase in competition. He proved in many big games this season that he can play at a very high level. Langborg brings additional experience to this Wildcat team as a grad transfer. Northwestern also added 3 freshman to the team this year. PG Jordan Clayton is ranked #187 in the 247 Sports rankings. He is a player that could see immediate action as one of the only true point guards on the roster. Northwestern also added guard Parker Strauss ranked #221 in the 247 sports rankings. Finally, Northwestern added PF Blake Barkley ranked #247.

Northwestern is coming off one of their best seasons in program history, however they have to replace 2 starters that they lost this offseason. Northwestern should still be a very competitive team, but they aren’t quite as good as they were last season. Northwestern should be towards the middle of the Big 10 standings next season around the 7th-9th range in the conference. They could be in NCAA Tournament bubble conversation near the end of the season. A trip to the NIT seems like the minimum for this years Northwestern team.