Scouting: Northwestern vs. NIU

Posted November 10, 2010 10:00 pm

By Lindsey Willhite

Northwestern (0-0) at Northern Illinois (0-0)

When: 8 p.m. at Convocation Center

Radio: WGN 720-AM

Skinny: For the second year in a row, the Wildcats and the Huskies kick off the season on the first night possible. After winning 20 games for the first time, Northwestern retains four starters and high hopes for its first NCAA Tournament berth. Northern Illinois retains just two starters, but boasts eight new faces to try to eclipse the 10-win barrier for the first time in five seasons. The Huskies say their new look includes much more effort defensively, while the Wildcats say their trip to Italy (which featured the 24-second shot clock) has increased their willingness to run. NIU senior forward Xavier Silas (19.7 ppg) is the nation's No. 11 returning scorer while NU junior forward John Shurna (18.2 ppg) is the No. 2 returning scorer in the Big Ten.

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