Northwestern University Athletics

Photo by: GRIFFIN QUINN/Northwestern Athletics
Wildcats Return to Action in Friday Night Clash with Jackson State
12/28/2023 5:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. – After a brief holiday break, Northwestern men's basketball returns to Welsh-Ryan Arena to close out non-conference play with a matchup against Jackson State on Friday, Dec. 29, at 7 p.m. CT. The game will air on Peacock with Terry Gannon (play-by-play) and Robbie Hummel (analyst) on the call, while Dave Eanet (play-by-play) and Billy McKinney (analyst) have the radio call on ESPN 1000 WMVP and Sirius XM Channel 386.
Northwestern is 9-2 over the season's first 11 games for the second consecutive season and has matched or bettered that record for the fourth time in the Chris Collins era.
Last time out on Dec. 20, the Wildcats held Arizona State to just 13 first half points en route to a 65-46 win at Footprint Center in Phoenix. ASU's 13 first half points were the fewest by a Northwestern opponent since Chicago State scored just eight first half points on Dec. 11, 2016. Arizona State's 46 points were the fewest scored by a Pac-12/Pacific Coast team against Northwestern since it held Washington to 45 points on Dec. 20, 1960.
The Wildcats have held each of their last two opponents to 46 points, defeating DePaul 56-46 on Dec. 15 before downing Arizona State 65-46 on Dec. 20. Northwestern ranks second in the Big Ten and 23rd nationally, holding opponents to just 63.1 points per game. Northwestern is 6-0 this season and 26-2 over the previous two seasons when holding its opponent to 65 points for fewer.
Boo Buie posted 22 points, seven rebounds, and three assists against the Sun Devils. With his second assist of the game, he reached 500 career assists. Buie currently sits in third place for career assists in program history behind Bryant McIntosh (2015-18, 700) and Michael "Juice" Thompson (2007-11, 528). He is averaging 18.5 points and 4.8 points assists per game, each ranking fifth in the Big Ten.
Ty Berry recorded his first double-double of the season and third of his career, posting 12 points and 10 rebounds. Berry ranks 12th in the Big Ten, averaging 2.00 three-point field goals made per game.
In his first season starting for the Wildcats, Brooks Barnhizer is averaging 13.9 points per game and a team-best 7.8 rebounds per game, seventh-most in the Big Ten. He also adds 2.0 steals per game, second-most in the Big Ten, and 1.0 blocks per game, 13th-most in the Big Ten. Barnhizer is the only high-major player in the country, posting 13.0+ points, 7.0+ rebounds and 2.0+ steals per game.
Friday's meeting marks the first all-time on the hardwood between NU and Jackson State. The Wildcats last faced a SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) opponent last season when they defeated Prairie View A&M 61-51 on Dec. 11, 2022, behind 20 points from Robbie Beran.
Jackson State enters Friday's contest at 4-8, winners of two of its last three games and three of its last five. Ken Evans Jr. averages 18.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game for the Tigers.
Northwestern returns to Big Ten play with a trip to Champaign to take on in-state rival Illinois on Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 8 p.m. CT on BTN and ESPN 1000 WMVP.
Northwestern is 9-2 over the season's first 11 games for the second consecutive season and has matched or bettered that record for the fourth time in the Chris Collins era.
Last time out on Dec. 20, the Wildcats held Arizona State to just 13 first half points en route to a 65-46 win at Footprint Center in Phoenix. ASU's 13 first half points were the fewest by a Northwestern opponent since Chicago State scored just eight first half points on Dec. 11, 2016. Arizona State's 46 points were the fewest scored by a Pac-12/Pacific Coast team against Northwestern since it held Washington to 45 points on Dec. 20, 1960.
The Wildcats have held each of their last two opponents to 46 points, defeating DePaul 56-46 on Dec. 15 before downing Arizona State 65-46 on Dec. 20. Northwestern ranks second in the Big Ten and 23rd nationally, holding opponents to just 63.1 points per game. Northwestern is 6-0 this season and 26-2 over the previous two seasons when holding its opponent to 65 points for fewer.
Boo Buie posted 22 points, seven rebounds, and three assists against the Sun Devils. With his second assist of the game, he reached 500 career assists. Buie currently sits in third place for career assists in program history behind Bryant McIntosh (2015-18, 700) and Michael "Juice" Thompson (2007-11, 528). He is averaging 18.5 points and 4.8 points assists per game, each ranking fifth in the Big Ten.
Ty Berry recorded his first double-double of the season and third of his career, posting 12 points and 10 rebounds. Berry ranks 12th in the Big Ten, averaging 2.00 three-point field goals made per game.
In his first season starting for the Wildcats, Brooks Barnhizer is averaging 13.9 points per game and a team-best 7.8 rebounds per game, seventh-most in the Big Ten. He also adds 2.0 steals per game, second-most in the Big Ten, and 1.0 blocks per game, 13th-most in the Big Ten. Barnhizer is the only high-major player in the country, posting 13.0+ points, 7.0+ rebounds and 2.0+ steals per game.
Friday's meeting marks the first all-time on the hardwood between NU and Jackson State. The Wildcats last faced a SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) opponent last season when they defeated Prairie View A&M 61-51 on Dec. 11, 2022, behind 20 points from Robbie Beran.
Jackson State enters Friday's contest at 4-8, winners of two of its last three games and three of its last five. Ken Evans Jr. averages 18.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game for the Tigers.
Northwestern returns to Big Ten play with a trip to Champaign to take on in-state rival Illinois on Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 8 p.m. CT on BTN and ESPN 1000 WMVP.
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