Northwestern learning to win under Collins
Year 3 in Northwestern coach Chris Collins' program construction has focused on learning how to win.
Collins felt that was needed after the Wildcats suffered so much heartbreak in close games last season. Eight of 17 losses last season came after they were within two possessions in the final five minutes.
Collins addressed that issue partly this season by not making Northwestern's schedule any tougher. Aside from North Carolina, the Wildcats were given a nonconference schedule of beatable opponents, and they've taken care of business. They have gone 9-1 and will be favored in their three remaining nonconference games, including Saturday's contest against DePaul (1 p.m. FS1). Even more promising for Collins, four of those victories came after being a two-possession game in the final five minutes.
While NU is pointed toward its best nonconference start under Collins, the question now is whether the Wildcats can continue that success into the Big Ten and earn its first NCAA tournament berth. That last part is what NU fans care about, and Collins gets it.
"We kind of know that's out there," said Collins before practice on Thursday. "That's part of the reason I wanted to come here was to have that challenge of getting the program to that level. Really, I think we've all kind of stayed on track with that's going to happen this year, next year, whenever. That's going to be part of the process.
"To not put a timetable on that. To more put a timetable on are we getting better? Is the level of talent going up? Is our quality of play going up? Are we getting the right kids in here? Are we coaching them up right way? To me, the wins and losses things will take care of itself, which then results in postseason then taking care of itself."
Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips said he believes the program is on course.
"I really am pleased with where we're headed," Phillips said. "I didn't have a predetermined date of when we should be at a certain place other than I know each year we're getting better. So, we're better in Year 3 than we were in Year 2 and who we have coming back next year I would really believe we're going to better in Year 4 than we are in 3. That's what you need to do to be able to build a program."
Collins found a perfect example in the Cubs and their young players dealt with postseason history, curses and everything else.
"The Cubs had a similar track even though it's even more years, but the one thing I talked to our guys about was the way their young players were this year," Collins said. "They weren't playing with any pressure of any history. They were having fun. They were attacking. They were hungry.
"It's not fair to our guys to have to play for 70-plus years of not going to an NCAA tournament. They haven't had a hand in that. I want them to play free. I want them to play confident. I want them to play hungry and pursue things rather than try to change what has or hasn't happened here in the past."
Northwestern has been led by sophomore Bryant McIntosh (15.6 points, 6.3 assists) and seniors Tre Demps (15.6 points) and Alex Olah (11.8 points, 6.6 rebounds). The Wildcats are without sophomore Vic Law, who is sitting out the season after having shoulder surgery.