Three Keys for Northwestern Men’s Basketball v.s. DePaul

The Northwestern Wildcats have had a successful start to their season, with three consecutive wins. Their upcoming matchup against DePaul could prove to be a real test for the team. Here are three crucial factors that will determine the outcome of the game:

1. Need more threats: The majority of Northwestern's offense has come from Jake West, LA Pratt, and junior guard Angelo Ciaravino. While they have all contributed significantly, the team cannot solely rely on this trio. Head coach Chris Collins is already utilizing an eight-man rotation, and he needs an additional player to step up and provide more scoring options.

Sophomore guard Phoenix Gill has been reliable off the bench, and the return of transfer forward Jack Karasinski from a concussion will add another dimension to the team. Even beyond the top five players, the role players must find their roles quickly. Forwards Aleksej Kostic and Colin Smith, if they can shoot better from beyond the arc, would be invaluable to the Wildcats when one of the top scorers goes cold.

2. Consistency from deep: In their previous game against Stony Brook, Northwestern shot well from beyond the arc, going 12-for-23. However, against Boston University, they struggled, going 6-for-26. This inconsistency largely stems from Jake West and Pratt's shooting performances. West went 1-for-7, while Pratt went 2-for-8. To excel against tougher competition, Northwestern must improve its three-point shooting consistency.

West and Pratt need to hit at least three 3-pointers per game at an efficient rate, while sophomore guard Gill should continue to develop his shooting skills. The return of Karasinski will help, but until then, Northwestern must shoot better from deep.

3. Keep up the pressure: During their game against BU, Northwestern forced 19 turnovers while committing only five. This aggressive defense played a significant role in their success, as they managed to take advantage of multiple fast breaks. To maintain this pressure against more physically imposing teams, Northwestern needs to continue their small-ball lineups, which are high-tempo and reliant on off-ball movement to create open shots.

The team must also capitalize on every transition opportunity, especially when freshman Jayden Hodge joins the lineup, bringing additional athleticism to the table. Northwestern must leverage its strengths to overcome its size disadvantages and ensure that things don't fall apart.