Following a strong seven-game start to the year, the No. 19 Illini (6-1, 0-0) head into the Big Ten opener against a familiar foe. The two-and-a-half-hour bus ride to Evanston is one of the quicker trips they’ll make this season, but that doesn’t take away from the significance of the matchup.
Illinois has not won at Northwestern (6-3, 0-1) in the last two seasons, and Friday night won’t be easy. While it already has three losses, Northwestern has plenty of talent to win on its home court.
Know the foe
“I’ve been extremely impressed with them on film,” said head coach Brad Underwood. “Most importantly, they are very good defensively. Very sound.”
The Wildcats present an offense fueled by just four players. Only being able to rely on a couple of guys doesn’t bode well for an entire season, but it makes them dangerous in individual matchups. They boast the only 20-plus point scoring duo in the nation, with junior forward Nick Martinelli and senior guard Brooks Barnhizer.
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Martinelli has been one of the stories of college basketball so far. The 6-foot-7 junior averaged just 8.8 points on 27% from three-point range last year but has completely turned that around. Through the first nine games, he has raised those numbers to 20.1 points on 58.8% long-range shooting.
Barnhizer, on the other hand, has played a significant role for Northwestern in past seasons. He has continued to raise his numbers all four years in Evanston and leads the Wildcats in scoring. If these two guys can be slowed down, Northwestern hasn’t shown enough supplementary production to keep things close. But that’s a big “if.”
Despite losing the last two on the road, Illinois is 10-2 in the last 12 meetings between these teams. The Illini have already been battle-tested but have yet to face a true road environment.
Road leaders
A common theme throughout a season of a young team is looking toward the veterans in big moments. They leaned on them in their first two ranked matchups, and it’s time to turn to the few older players again on Friday night.
Junior guard Kylan Boswell will play a massive role in this one. Even though he’s scored 13 or more points in three of the last four games, his elite defense will provide the matchup of the game.
“He is big and strong,” Underwood said. “He can take multiple hits. He is crafty. He has good athleticism.”
There are four inches and 30 pounds differentiating Boswell and Barnhizer, but the Illinois guard has the physicality to compete. While Northwestern does have two shorter starters, Boswell will likely find himself matched up with the dominant Wildcat.
Another player to look out for is sophomore guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn. The Indiana native started the season hot in the exhibition and home opener but has simmered down since. Gibbs-Lawhorn played big minutes in the NCAA tournament last season and should be as prepared as anyone for this road test.
Tough stretch
Illinois is in the midst of a difficult seven-game stretch. Six contests are either against a ranked opponent or away from Champaign against a Power 5 opponent. They started strong, taking the first game of that stretch on Thanksgiving, but eight days later, the Illini are back in action.
“It’s an atmosphere that is going to be really fun to play in,” said graduate forward Ben Humrichous. “We’re built for stuff like this, so we’re ready to go.”
It’s an 8 p.m. tip-off in Evanston on Friday night. The in-state rivals will play on Big Ten Network as Illinois looks to start 1-0 in the conference in consecutive seasons.
@benfader7
