Northwestern Hosts Pitt in ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Following a trip to Cancun, the Northwestern men's basketball team takes on a Power 5 non-conference opponent for the second game in a row as it welcomes Pitt to Welsh-Ryan Arena for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge at 8 p.m. CT on Monday, Nov. 28. Jordan Bernfield (play-by-play) and Malcolm Huckaby (analyst) have the call on ESPN2, while Dave Eanet (play-by-play) and Billy McKinney (analyst) will call the action on AM 720 WGN.
The Wildcats (5-1) reached the championship game of the Cancun Challenge by defeating ASUN preseason favorite Liberty 66-52 on Tuesday (Nov. 22). Trailing by a point at halftime, the 'Cats outscored the Flames 38-23 in the second half, with Chase Audige pumping in a team-high 20 points. Ty Berry contributed 19 points, seven boards and four steals. Northwestern took No. 13 Auburn to the wire on Wednesday (Nov. 23) before ultimately dropping its first game of the year in the finals, 43-42. The Tigers were limited to their lowest point total since 2014. Both Audige and Berry were tabbed to the all-tournament team.
Northwestern's defense has been stellar to start the year, as it leads the Big Ten and ranks fourth nationally allowing just 51.7 points per game. Opponents are shooting just 32.2% against the 'Cats, which ranks second nationally behind Houston (30.4%). KenPom ranks the Northwestern defense eighth in the country in defensive efficiency. Northwestern has held five of its six opponents to under 60 points.
Boo Buie (13.3), Audige (12.2), Berry (11.0) and Robbie Beran (10.5) are all averaging over 10 points per game. Beran is pulling down a team-best 7.0 rebounds per game and has recorded seven or more in five of six games. Defensively, Audige is second in the conference averaging 2.3 swipes per game and big man Matthew Nicholson places sixth with 1.7 blocks per game.
Set to compete in its 24th ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Northwestern is 10-13 all-time in the event and looking to halt a two-game losing skid. The Wildcats fell at Wake Forest last year in overtime 77-73 and to Pitt at home in 2020, 71-70. The all-time series is tied 10-10 between Pitt and Northwestern, with the Panthers claiming the last four matchups. NU last defeated Pitt 57-55 on Dec. 3, 1962. Northwestern head coach Chris Collins and Pitt head coach Jeff Capel were both teammates at Duke from 1993-96. Collins is 4-5 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
The Panthers (4-3) enter the matchup having won three straight home games against Alabama State, Fairleigh Dickinson and William & Mary. Blake Hinson leads Pitt in scoring (16.0 ppg), rebounds (6.4), field goals (38), three-point field goals (14) and steals (10). Capel is 55-72 in five seasons in Pittsburgh.
Northwestern opens Big Ten play at 6 p.m. CT on Sunday, Dec. 4 at Michigan State.
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