'Cats Return From Layoff Monday, Hosting Chicago State

12/10/2017 10:42:00 AM | Men's Basketball

By: Nick Brilowski

NORTHWESTERN BASKETBALL: GAME DAY INFORMATION
DATE	OPPONENT	TIME	LOCATION	BROADCAST	LIVE STATS
Mon, Dec. 11	Chicago State	6 p.m.	Allstate Arena; Rosemont, Ill.	FS1 and FOX Sports Go	SIDEARM
Radio: 720 WGN (Dave Eanet and Joey Meyer) TV: FS1 (Lisa Byington and Stephen Bardo) Social: Twitter (@NUMensBball and @NU_SportsLIVE) \| Instagram (@numensbball) \| Facebook Game Notes: Northwestern \| Chicago State TICKETS

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern is back in action Monday following a week-long break for final exams as it hosts Chicago State at Allstate Arena. Tip time is set for 6 p.m. Tickets are available online at NUsports.com, by calling 888-GO-PURPLE or in person at the Allstate Arena Ticket Office.

Monday's game opens a stretch of four straight games against local opponents. Following the contest against Chicago State, the Wildcats host Valparaiso on Thursday before making its first trip to Wintrust Arena on Saturday to face DePaul. Northwestern also hosts Lewis at Allstate Arena next Tuesday.

The Wildcats suffered a narrow 74-69 loss at Purdue in their most recent contest Dec. 3. Dererk Pardon led NU with 20 points while Vic Law posted his first double-double of the season, recording 12 points and a season-high 10 rebounds.

Bryant McIntosh reached a milestone in Northwestern's Dec. 1 contest at Purdue. The senior guard became the 13th player in Big Ten Conference history to record 600 career assists. McIntosh passed Michigan State's Eric Snow for 13th place in league history in the process. His 602 career assists are the fourth most of any active player in the nation.

Northwestern has been on target from the free throw line this season. The Wildcats boast a team free throw percentage of .770, ranking them first in the Big Ten. Bryant McIntosh leads the way at 95.5 percent, having connected on 21 of his 22 attempts from the charity stripe.

Northwestern has never lost to Chicago State in 11 previous meetings. The Wildcats have hosted 10 of those contests. Vic Law scored a team-high 18 points to help the Wildcats hold off the Cougars, 68-64, in the most recent matchup between the teams Dec. 14, 2016 in Evanston.

Scouting Chicago State
The Cougars (2-10) are coming off an 82-50 loss at Oakland on Saturday and still are looking for their first win over a Division I opponent this season. Fred Sims Jr. led Chicago State with 16 points and paces the team with an average of 16.1 points per contest. Deionte Simmons contributes 9.5 points and team bests of 5.2 rebounds per game and a .591 field goal percentage.