'Cats Host Rutgers in Saturday Matinee

2/26/2016 3:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball

By: Nick Brilowski

NORTHWESTERN BASKETBALL: GAME DAY INFORMATION
DATE	OPPONENT	TIME	LOCATION	BROADCAST	LIVE STATS
Sat., Feb. 27	Rutgers	1 p.m.	Welsh-Ryan Arena	ESPNU and WatchESPN	SIDEARM
720 WGN, Sirius 145, XM 195: Dave Eanet and Joey Meyer ESPNU: Clay Matvick and Sean Harrington Social: Twitter (@NUMensBball and @NU_SportsLIVE) \| Instagram (@numensbball) \| Facebook Game Notes: Northwestern \| Rutgers

WATCH: Coach Collins Preview | G. Skelly Preview

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern plays it first home game in two weeks Saturday when it takes on Rutgers at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.

PURCHASE TICKETS

Northwestern is playing its fourth consecutive game against Big Ten teams that it is facing only once this season.

The Wildcats (17-11, 5-10 B1G) are coming off a 72-63 loss at Michigan on Wednesday. Northwestern opened the game on a 17-4 run but wasn't able to hold on as Michigan finished the game on an 18-9 run over the last five minutes. Alex Olah paced NU with 19 points.

Northwestern freshman Aaron Falzon hit four 3-pointers in the Wildcats' game at Michigan on Wednesday, raising his team-leading total to 56. In the process, he moved past Craig Moore and David Newman into second place among all freshmen in school history in the category. Only Sean Wink (86, 1997-98) has hit more triples as a Northwestern freshman than Falzon.

Tre Demps is set to appear in the 129th game of his career Saturday which would move him into a tie with Michael Thompson for third place all-time at Northwestern. Only Drew Crawford (143) and John Shurna (130) have played in more games at NU.

The Wildcats won last year's lone matchup, 51-47, on Dec. 30, 2014 in Piscataway in the Big Ten opener for both teams. Bryant McIntosh led the 'Cats with 17 points while Tre Demps added 16. Northwestern holds a 5-1 edge in the all-time series between the schools. NU won the only previous contest between the teams in Evanston, 72-55, on Nov. 30, 1987.

Scouting Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights are still seeking their first win of the Big Ten season, most recently falling 83-61 at Minnesota on Tuesday. D.J. Foreman led Rutgers with 13 points and 11 rebounds while Bishop Daniels contributed 12 points. Corey Sanders paces the team with an average of 16.2 points per game, but he is not expected to play Saturday due to a violation of team rules. Mike Williams is averaging 11.9 points per contest and has hit a team-leading 40 3-point field goals. Eddie Jordan is in his third season as the head coach at his alma mater.