Northwestern doesn't mind doubters ahead of opener vs. Lehigh

Field Level Media|published: Wed 30th October, 10:47 2024

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament First Round-Northwestern vs Florida Atlantic

March 22, 2024, Brooklyn, NY, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Brooks Barnhizer (13) drives to the basket against the Florida Atlantic Owls in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Northwestern enters 2024-25 coming off consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in school history and returning 66 percent of its minutes.

Still, a preseason media poll tapped the Wildcats 16th out of 18 teams in the Big Ten, due largely to the graduation of top scorer and floor leader Boo Buie.

Fine by Northwestern. The program has grown accustomed to being counted out and views Monday's season opener in Evanston, Ill., against visiting Lehigh as the first opportunity to announce its potential.

"We'll be motivated," Wildcats coach Chris Collins said. "We've got chip-on-our-shoulder guys. We're a gritty, blue-collar team and a program. That's what we are. We know our formula. We're excited to compete.

"And the great thing about basketball is the preseason prognostications don't really matter; you get to go out there and actually play the games."

An experienced backcourt steers the Wildcats. Senior Brooks Barnhizer, a preseason all-conference pick, and graduate student Ty Berry both are back in the fold.

Barnhizer, who averaged 14.6 points per game last season, tweaked his foot during preseason while Berry (11.6 ppg) missed the last 11 games of 2023-24 with a knee injury. Both veterans expect to be at full strength against Lehigh.

"Running good, jumping good, feeling good, so I'm excited to be back," Berry said.

Transfer portal addition Jalen Leach also looks to help solidify the scoring after averaging 16.2 points last year at Fairfield.

Lehigh also can attest to a wealth of returning contributors. The Mountain Hawks have back in the fold six of their top nine scorers and 11 players overall.

Senior guard Tyler Whitney-Sidney was picked to the preseason All-Patriot League team after shining a season ago. He averaged 15.2 points and shot 47.5 percent from the field, both career bests, while scoring at least 20 points nine times.

Keith Higgins Jr. (12.6) is back as a double-figure scorer and all-conference first-team selection. The Mountain Hawks also return their lead facilitator in point guard Cam Gillus, who started as a freshman last season.

--Field Level Media