NORTHWESTERN MEN'S BASKETBALL: GAMEDAY INFORMATION
DATE	OPPONENT	TIME	LOCATION	Television
Wednesday, Nov. 27	Pittsburgh	7:30 p.m. CT	Suncoast Credit Union Arena (Fort Myers, Fla.)	FS1
Radio: WGN 720 \| Social: Twitter (@NUMensBball) \| Instagram (@NUMensBball ) Game Notes

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Northwestern is set to battle ACC foe Pitt in the 2019 Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans Fort Myers Tip-Off Championship game on Wednesday night at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. The game will tip-off at 7:30 p.m. CT and will be televised on FS1.

The Wildcats earned their spot in the title game after defeating Bradley, 78-51 on  Monday night. Graduate transfer Pat Spencer had a outstanding offensive performance, leading the team with a career high 23 points and eight assists, while Miller Kopp and Ryan Young chipped in 13 points each.

As a team, Northwestern set season-high marks in points (78), field goals made (30), 3-point field goals made (10) and field goal percentage (52.6%; 30-for-57).

Northwestern will look to keep its momentum rolling against Pitt. The Panthers took down an undefeated K-State team, 63-59 in a last-minute thriller to advance to the championship game. The Wildcats lead the all-time series against the Panthers 10-8.

STORYLINES

Familiar Face: Sullivan-Ubben Men's Head Coach Chris Collins will square off against a familiar face on Wednesday in Pitt's head coach Jeff Capel. The two were teammates at Duke for three seasons (1993-96) and helped the Blue Devils to reach the 1994 national championship game. The duo also served together as coaches together with USA Basketball and as assistant coaches at Duke (2011-13).

Trophy Hunting: Collins and company are looking for their first early-season championship since taking over at Northwestern in 2013-14. The Wildcats have made it to three title games since 2014, including the 2014 Cancun Challenge, 2016 Legends Classic and the 2017 Naismith Memorial Hall-of-Fame Tip-Off.

Season Highs: Northwestern put together its most complete performance of the season in the 78-51 win over Bradley on Monday. NU posted season-highs in points (78), field goals made (30), 3-point field goals (10) and field goal percentage (52.6%; 30-for-57) and held Bradley to 51 points, the fewest by an NU opponent since the 'Cats held Ohio State to 50 on March 6, 2019.

QUOTABLES

"I don't want these guys to play on their heels, I want them to be aggressive. I saw that tonight, we had an edge to how we we played. We had energy, and saying the right things in the huddles. We played like an edgy, chippy team and we're going to have to do that in order to win at this level."

  - Sullivan-Ubben Men's Head Coach Chris Collins on the team's competitive edge in the win over Bradley

"Jeff is like a brother to me. We were back court mates for three years and then worked together. We talk almost every day, honestly. I really wanted him to win and I know he wanted me to win and we'll both compete like crazy, like brothers would."

    -  Collins on facing Pitt Head Coach and former college teammate Jeff Capel

"My game as a whole, I want to make other guys around me better. I just try to make the right plays and be unselfish."

  - Graduate transfer Pat Spencer on his playing style

••••••

Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!

Northwestern to Battle Pitt in Fort Myers Tip-off Title Game

••••••

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Miller Kopp

Pat Spencer

Ryan Young

Northwestern University Athletics

Northwestern to Battle Pitt in Fort Myers Tip-off Title Game

••••••

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Miller Kopp

Pat Spencer

Ryan Young

Related Videos