Scouting Notes: Northwestern

The Indiana basketball program is back in action on Sunday afternoon as Northwestern comes into Assembly Hall.

The Wildcats are 17-8 overall and 8-6 in Big Ten play in year 11 for Chris Collins — one of his best coaching jobs during his tenure. Offensively, Northwestern is ranked 37th overall in efficiency with a 115.6 rating. The Wildcats come in with a defensive efficiency rating of 100.7, ranked 79th nationally. Overall, Northwestern ranks 49th in the KenPom ratings.

Here is a deep dive into some of the challenges Northwestern could give the Indiana basketball program.

Key Players

Boo Buie is the guy for the Wildcats. Not only is he a veteran guard, but he’s also a terrific playmaker with he ball in his hands. Everything Northwestern does starts and ends with Buie. He currently ranks fifth in the Big Ten in usage rate, third in points produced and fourth in points per game. The 6-foot-2 guard is outstanding at getting to his spots on the floor. He has good strength and quickness that allows him to get the defense on his hip and get downhill. Once he does that, he’s terrific at drawing fouls, getting to the line nearly five times per game. Buie is best attacking the basket and his quickness has opened up his perimeter game this year. He’s shooting 41.7 percent from three on 2.4 made 3s per game. He’s typically pretty efficient, shooting at least 40 percent in 18 games this season. While Buie is looking to score, he also ranks fourth in assists per game in the league. This is going to be an extremely difficult matchup for the Indiana basketball backcourt. It must force the ball out of Buie’s hands as much as possible and always be aware of his arms and legs — as he’s someone who is going to force contact.

On the wing is one of the most improved players in the conference in 6-foot-6 Brooks Barnhizer. Barnhizer is a tough, high motor wing who can play the 3 or a small-ball 4. He has good size and strength to play both in the paint and on the perimeter. He is a good catch and shoot player but typically is looking to attack the basket if he has the ball in his hands. If he posts up, he typically has an advantage with either his quickness on a bigger defender, or size on a small one. He likes to turn into the middle of the paint and finish with somewhat of a fadeaway jumper. Barnhizer is an all-around basketball player, however. He is terrific on the glass and a make plays for teammates — typically making the right pass. Defensively, he’s tremendous, averaging 1.9 steals per game and using his quick hands to get out in transition. Indiana basketball needs to make him a playmaker with the ball in his hands and can’t lose him on the wing.

In the backcourt with Buie is Princeton transfer Ryan Langborg. Langborg has been a fantastic addition to this backcourt with his versatility and athleticism. He has a great first step and quickness that pairs well with Buie in the backcourt. He does a great job getting to the rim with his first step but he’s still best from the perimeter. He’s shooting 39.8 percent from three on 2.0 makes per game. 53.1 percent of his shot attempts are 3s this season and he can be effective either off of the catch or dribble. But, typically he’s looking to get to about 15 feet if he’s attacking off the dribble. He also has the ability to play more on the ball which allows Buie to be moved off-ball in more of a scoring role.

Nick Martinelli has good size but isn’t a banger in the paint for Northwestern. He’s more of a hybrid forward who plays outside-in and uses his length to score at the rim. Martinelli is a smooth lefty though who has solid athleticism. He’s a terrific cutter and mover without the ball — something the Indiana basketball wings will need to prioritize. Martinelli isn’t going to be a huge threat from the perimeter in terms of volume, but is shooting 38.5 percent with 10 made 3s.

In the front court with Martinelli is veteran forward Matthew Nicholson. Nicholson has a huge frame and uses that on both ends of the floor. He’s a 7-foot and 255-pound big body that knows how to use it. He’s a very physical player who is best on the glass and defending the rim. Nicholson is not going to be a huge factor one-on-one unless it’s an offensive rebound putback and will not be someone to be a threat outside of the paint. Defensively, Nicholson averages 1.4 blocks per game and impacts almost every shot due to his physicality.

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Key Tendencies

Northwestern is a team that is going to slow it down and use its matchups to an advantage offensively. The Wildcats rank 328th in tempo and 306rh in average length of possession. Most of Northwestern’s offense comes from the hands of Boo Buie or Brooks Barnhizer — averaging 33.6 points produced per game. That duo also combines to take 45.8 percent of the Wildcats’ shots per game. They also combine for 43.3 percent of the teams made field goals per game. Despite the injury to Ty Berry, Northwestern is still a very perimeter-oriented team with four players shooting above 40 percent from three. The Wildcats rank sixth in the country with a 39.4 percent three-point rate. They also get 34 percent of their points from the three-point line. In Big Ten games, they’re shooting 43.3 percent from three and making 9.1 3s per game. One thing Northwestern does even better than shooting 3s is limiting turnovers. They average just 9.3 turnovers per game and have a turnover rate of just 14 percent — the 16th best in the nation. Indiana basketball must be aware of Brooks Barnhizer and Ryan Langborg when the ball is in Buie’s hands. Their ability to move without the ball and create terrific floor spacing will be a major issue for IU’s defense.

Defensively, Northwestern is going to get up in you and play with a lot of toughness. That can be an issue, however because they rank 321st in foul rate at 41.4 percent. They will often times try to over help and force turnovers with pressure which opens up the perimeter and allows opponents to shoot 35.9 percent from three, 305th nationally — 38 percent in Big Ten games. Opponents are making 7.1 3s per game this season. Most of opponents’ looks are coming off of a pass as Northwestern is allowing nearly 14 assists per game and an assist rate that is 330th worst in the nation. It’s a lot of risk-reward with Northwestern on the defensive end.

Overall, Indiana needs to play tough and strong with the ball — on both ends. Northwestern won’t beat itself offensively so IU needs to play fundamentally sound defense in order to limit easy chances for Northwestern on the perimeter — because it can’t get into a shootoff. The game will likely be won or lost at the free throw line, however. Because of Northwestern’s high foul rate, Indiana needs to be able to convert. It ranks 18th in the nation in foul rate but shoots just 66.4 percent from the line, ranked 328th nationally. If Indiana isn’t able to limit turnovers and convert at the foul line, it could be a route.

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Projected Starters

G – Boo Buie (Senior; 6-2, 180)

Stats: 19.2 ppg, 5.2 apg, 41.7% 3pt

G – Ryan Langborg (Senior; 6-4, 185)

Stats: 11.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.5 apg, 39.8% 3pt

F – Brooks Barnhizer (Junior; 6-6, 215)

Stats: 14.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.8 apg, 34.2% 3pt

F – Nick Martinelli (Sophomore; 6-7, 200)

Stats: 7.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg

F – Matthew Nicholson (Senior; 7-0, 255)

Stats: 5.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.4 bpg

Key Notes

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