“You haven’t been playing that well [this season] let’s see what you can do.” - Northwestern coach Bill Carmody to forward Kevin Coble

Coming off their closest-to-a-Big-Ten-win against Iowa, it was going to be interesting to see how Northwestern responded against the 14th ranked team in the country Saturday night. Many questioned if the Cats would be able to respond to such a challenge, or if they would give in, following a game where their best still was not good enough.

In their favor was Friday’s shattering news of the resignation of Indiana head coach Kelvin Sampson. The game was to be played within only 36 hours of the news. Several Indiana players skipped Friday’s practice after hearing the man who recruited them would no longer be their leader.

Their new coach, Dan Dakich, said after Saturday’s game, he was not surprised that many of the players skipped practice. He pointed out, they are only 18 to 22 year old kids, and dealing with this type of situation would be nearly impossible, even for adults.

He credited the strength of the program in how it responded, especially the team managers. Apparently, for Friday night’s shoot around, which all the players did attend, the managers simulated Northwestern’s offense to help prepare the team for the game.

To honor their fallen coach, the Indiana players wrote “KS” on their shoes for the game.

I was late in arriving for the sold out contest, as was covering the Chicago State game earlier that day. When I did finally arrive with a few minutes left in the first half, I nearly defecated in my pants when I saw the score.

Facing up against probably the best team in the Big Ten, Northwester was not only in the game, they were winning by seven as the half was drawing to a close.I was there in time to see a brutal three point shot by supposed star freshman Eric Gordon, where he missed the rim by slightly under a hundred feet. Chants of “air ball” reigned down from the Northwestern students on young Eric every time he shot a free throw for the game’s duration. A pair of three’s by Jordan Crawford brought Indiana within two as the first half came to an end. The second period started with a layup by freshman center Ivan Peljusic. Peljusic has been playing great over the past few games since coach Carmody inserted him into the starting lineup; he their only big man who can get to the hoop and create his own shot. Though he ended up fouling out later in the half, he showed he can pass as well, finishing with seven assists in only 22 minutes of play.

Having a center who can pass is critical for Carmody’s Princeton offense to be run effectively. Against the Hoosiers the offense was run the best I’ve seen all season. The screens, fake screens, one-touch passes and not just single, but double backdoor cuts were all buzzing like a well-oiled machine.

If the Indiana players were distraught by losing coach Sampson, it was not showing up in their play. They absolutely killed the ‘Cats from long range, especially in the second period where they made five of their eight attempts from distance.

Yet, unlike almost every other game in this struggling Northwestern campaign, Saturday night the ‘Cats had an answer for every Indiana knockout punch. Back and forth the game went, with Kevin Coble leading the way. He was doing everything on the offensive end: getting to the hole for easy layups, making mid-range jumpers, and killing it from distance, shooting 5-6 on threes. He finished with 37 points, a new career high.

As the minutes kept ticking off the clock, I kept waiting for Indiana to make a 10-0 run or something, and put the ‘Cats out of their misery … but, it never came. The game went down to the wire, and as Eric Gordon went to the line with 1:46 left after a Nikola Baron foul, the Wildcats were somehow up by one.

With the packed stadium as loud as it’s ever been, Gordon showed while he may not be quite as good as he thinks he is, he’s still no chump, and sunk both free throws. For the night, he was 13-16 from the charity stripe.

Down by one needing an answer, the ‘Cats gave the ball to their star Kevin Coble, only to see him turn it over. My heart fell into my stomach as I saw the game slipping away, when Craig Moore blocked an Armon Bassett layup. My hopes were dashed once again as Indiana got back the rebound anyway and called a timeout.

If they scored again, odds were Northwestern would not have the firepower to answer with only 1:05 left. Thankfully, sophomore Jeremey Nash who’s been one of the real unsung heroes of this squad tipped an awkwards inbound pass jumping a mile into the sky and got the ball back, for a 4 on 2 Wildcat fast break.

They misplayed the spacing, so they were unable to get an easy layup before all the Indiana players got back on defense. Nevertheless, Coble had been scoring all over their best defensive efforts all night, and the confidence seen in this ‘Cats squad was eerily calming, despite the stakes.

Drawing the defenders to him, Coble handed off to Craig Moore who took one step, then smoothly, as he’s done thousands of time this year, raised up with no hesitation for a three. This was the first game I’d seen where Moore struggled on the offensive end, and while it was a good shot, it clanked off the rim.

Moore was not scared of the shot, however; and that’s what’s most important. MJ missed a lot more last second shots than he made, but he was never afraid and that’s why he was the best of all time. Moore won’t play in the NBA, but next time he has a 3 like that at the end of a game, he’ll make it. Indiana made two more foul shots next trip down the floor to go up by three, 81-78, with just 34 seconds left.

Following a thirty second timeout, somehow Nikola Baron took a three to try and tie it, but barely missed. Making his biggest play of the season, diminutive senior guard Jason Okreszki battled for the rebound and managed to get a jump ball. The possession arrow was pointed purple, and following the inbound pass, Kevin Coble got fouled.

He made his two free throws, and in turn, Eric Gordon made two more to respond. Down by three, coach Carmody called for Juice Thompson to take the ball to the hole, and he did, making a layup to bring the ‘Cats within one with just 14 seconds left.

Showing he still has a long way to go, Gordon inexplicably walked following the Hoosier inbound pass, and the ‘Cats had the ball back. Hope lives!

Trusting the freshman once again, Carmody put the ball in Thompson’s hands and told him to go back to the rim. Beating his man, Thompson put up a good shot with a DJ White in his face, but missed the layup. Two more Indiana free throws, and the game was over.

Some criticized Juice for not passing to Coble, but I felt it was a good play by him, the shot unfortunately just didn’t fall. He has come so far since his scoreless performance against MSU earlier this year. He has the makings of a true general from the point guard spot, and brighter days are indeed ahead for the ‘Cats.

Nevertheless, the loss puts them squarely at 0-14 for the year in the Big Ten. Coming close is nice, but winning is all that matters. As coach Dakich and Gordon noted afterwards, NU is much improved since their game in Bloomington, but they still are not where they need to be.

This ‘Cat team has more talent than people realize, and given their youth could be pretty good next season. First though, they need to win at least ONE Big Ten game to get some momentum and put a positive spin on what has been a really tough year, to say the least.

In the postgame press conference, Coble said he told coach Carmody after the game, “it’s not that hard, just come up to me and talk.”

If he can keep improving on his Saturday performance, that win will take care of itself.

GAME VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

More Articles by CS Sports Columnist Charlie Danoff

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