Cats’ Corner: Your source for NU basketball

The Islanders were shooting four of 11 from the field while the Cats have hit on 58 percent of their shots.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi though went on a 7-2 run with about three minutes to play that closed the lead to 12 points. The Islanders are starting to make shots after the struggles on offense. And it is not for a lack of trying on NU’s part.

Instead the Cats’ offense has become lethargic and perimeter oriented. They are taking quick shots early in the shot clock and letting the Islanders get out on the break. It is not boding well for NU as the lead tightens.

The Islanders then got a chance to meet John Shurna. Shurna came on strong in the last stages of the second half, hitting a three to end the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi run and then getting a steal at mid-court that set up a fast break for Michael Thompson and Craig Moore. The two found Shurna streaking to the basket and he hit a layup that put the lead back at 18 points at halftime.

NU leads 39-21 at the break.

The defense is winning this game again for the Wildcats. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is struggling with turnovers and breaking the press.

Coach Bill Carmody was not lying when he said he would continue to tinker with the defense and use the press. The Cats are pressing full court and trapping at the midcourt line and then falling back into a 2-3 zone. It has been pretty effective as NU went on an 18-4 run (which included a shot clock violation) to take a comfortable double-digit lead.

It was the Cats’ 3-point shooting that really seemed to calm the team down. Moore hit his record-setting three, but Coble has drained a few and it really helped keep the Cats in the game early and has helped them maintain a healthy lead — not to mention open up cutting and driving lanes that has led to such a high shooting percentage.

Those 3-pointers were created off of dribble penetration and the ample driving and cutting lanes the good shooting created. Those are not there anymore as the Islanders have tightened up their defense.

But it seems like the team is calming itself down and finding a way to get ahead and stay ahead.

Northwestern got off to a slow start, but the team has the Princeton offense working well. Craig Moore and Kevin Coble hit threes to pull the team into the lead. Some good passing from the perimeter to free back door cuts to the hoop have helped the Wildcats open up a 17-9 lead.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi got off to an early lead as it seemed NU would struggle again to make easy, close up shots. On the Cats’ first possession, Coble got to the rim on a pretty pass by Moore, but his layup was (unbelievably) short. Kyle Rowley also had a nice chance up close, but found himself too deep to make the layup.

It seems like NU is still unwilling to use their height around the basket. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi center Demond Watt got past Rowley easily and dunked it. It might be good for the Cats to start throwing some through the hoop with authority.

It is not a hard thing to do. Dunks can change momentum in games and they bring the crowd into the game. NU struggled to finish around the rim in previous outings. This might be the solution.

On a happier note, Craig Moore hit his second attempt from behind the arc and passed Vedran Vukusic as the school’s all-time leading 3-point shooter with 213 makes.

Northwestern burst out of the gates after a slow start. The Bears scored the first two points of the game and then did not score for nearly ten minutes. The Wildcats, meanwhile went on a 15-0 run to take a comfortable lead.

Central Arkansas never seemed to keep NU in front of them. The Bears were quickly over the limit and the Cats took advantage from the free throw line. It has not been one player doing the damage. The Princeton is pecking away at the Central Arkansas defense and the team simply cannot defend it.

What has been most impressive is the defense. Central Arkansas has been unable to control the ball on offense. Central Arkansas has committed numerous turnovers and it has hurt them immensely offensively. The Bears are shooting only 22.2 percent from the field (four field goals made).

NU is shooting 50 percent on the other hand, led by Kevin Coble with 10 points.

It has been a very odd game for the Cats. They are shooting some quick shots in the Prinecton and making them. The pace has been sped up just a little, but NU is keeping the game at their pace as Central Arkansas has been unable to control the ball on offense.

The 1-3-1 has not been used today and instead the Cats are applying some full-court pressure and man-to-man defense. It is working wonders as the Bears are trailing by 18 at the half. If this keeps up this game, NU will win running away.

The game started off very sloppy, but Northwestern is starting to come around offensively and defensively.

The Princeton offense is not working at maximum capacity yet, but Central Arkansas is having plenty of problems covering it so far. The Bears have committed eight team fouls in about nine minutes of play. The Cats are on a 10-0 run to take a 10-2 lead with 11:48 left.

Kevin Coble looks like he is going to be more aggressive out of the Princeton and he has had some decent post looks. Kyle Rowley got the start and showed off his range, making a free throw line jumper. And Craig Moore hit his first three of the game — an auspicious sign.

More interestingly, the defense is playing much more aggressive. NU is not playing its traditional 1-3-1 zone and has even shown some man looks and full court pressure. It has worked as Central Arkansas has been stuck at two points for quite some time and have turned the ball over more than a comfortable amount.

If the Cats keep up this defense, the offense should come around and help them pull away.