Northwestern 2010 Preview & Predictions

Northwestern Wildcats Basketball 2010-2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks & Odds

With the College Basketball 2010-2011 Season just around the corner, we are providing season previews & predictions for all NCAA basketball teams to give you the betting edge this year. Follow the best College Basketball Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2010-2011 basketball season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Basketball in our recommend online sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2010-2011 NCAA Basketball Season Previews here.

Northwestern Preview Picks, & Odds.

Northwestern 2009-2010 Record: 20-14 overall; 7-11 Big Ten (Tie/7th)

Northwestern Coach: Bill Carmody – At Northwestern: 140-163, 10 years; overall: 232-188, 14 years

Northwestern Players to Watch: With Kevin Coble injured, junior John Shuma made the Big Ten’s biggest leap last season. He could be among the league’s top 10 players – and senior point guard Michael Thompson will warrant All-Big Ten votes as well.

Northwestern Key Losses: Jeremy Nash, G, 6-4, 185 (8.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.1 apg)

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2010-2011 Northwestern Season Preview

The Wildcats keep breaking barriers, but the biggest remains elusive. Last season’s crew set the school record with 20 wins, returned the program to the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 1969 and earned an NIT berth for the second year in a row. Northwestern hopes all the accomplishments are the preamble to its first NCAA Tournament appearance. The Wildcats welcome back four starters – including secondteam all-Big Ten forward John Shurna and four-year starting point guard Michael “Juice” Thompson – while adding Rivals.com fourstar freshman guard JerShon Cobb. The Wildcats did take a big blow in the summer when fifth-year forward Kevin Coble opted to call it a career. The 2008-09 second-team AlIBig Ten pick suffered a Lisfranc fracture in his left foot three days before last season’s opener, but used his redshirt year and was expected to give the Wildcats their most explosive, wellbalanced offense in the modem era.

Northwestern Backcourt

Other Big Ten point guards get more publicity and NBA head-turns than Thompson, but nobody has a steadier handle or more consistent shot. Thompson finished second in the Big Ten last season in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.4) and 3-pointers (2.6 per game), while taking third in 3-point percentage (.411). He’s the team’s most irreplaceable player. With All-Big Ten defender Jeremy Nash graduated, sophomore Drew Crawford shifts from the wing to the backcourt. Crawford, the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Year according to the media, displayed a streaky 3-point touch and the ability to get to the rim. His ballhandling improved in the offseason, which is crucial in the Princeton-style offense’s two-guard setup. Left-handed sophomore Alex Marcotullio boasts terrific touch out to 25 feet and can handle the point in a pinch. Cobb, the Player of the Year in the Atlanta metro area, brings the biggest rep of any recruit in the Bill Carmody era. With the high-scoring veterans on this team, Cobb won’t need to do too much too soon.

Northwestern Frontcourt

Coble was Northwestern’s undisputed No. 1 option during his first three seasons. But after he broke his foot before last season began, Shurna assumed his role and produced at a higher rate. Shurna led the ‘Cats with 18.2 points and 6,4 rebounds per game as he unveiled the ability to shoot from long range, post in the paint and drive to the basket. Junior center Luka Mirkovic was an excellent barometer of the team’s fortunes last season. When he didn’t pick up early fouls, he delivered close to double-double numbers. In other games, early fouls and turnovers led to the Wildcats getting next to nothing from their crucial 5 spot. Junior Davide Curletti took over as the team’s backup center down the stretch. He adds athleticism off the bench. Fifth-year senior Jeff Ryan, who tore the ACL in his left knee during last season’s opener, can play anywhere from point guard to power forward in NU’s offense.

2010-2011 Northwestern Predictions

This looked like an NCAA Tourney challenger before Coble pulled his card in July, but there’s still reason to think the Wildcats will make their share of noise. With or without Coble, this is a solid team, but it needs a few more things to go just right without him.

Northwestern Finish in the Big Ten: 7th

Northwestern Betting Odds

Northwestern Odds to Win 2010-2011 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament: +10000
Northwestern Odds to Win the Big Ten: +1000

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Northwestern Basketball Handicapping Picks

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