When Northwestern qualified for back-to-back NCAA Tournaments for the first time in school history in 2023 and 2024, Boo Buie and his point guard wizardry got a lot of the credit — and deservedly so.
But Buie’s brilliance obscured a crucial part of the Wildcats’ success: their defense.
In 2022-23, the Wildcats ranked 22nd nationally in defensive efficiency per KenPom.com. The following year, they finished 54th as they traded some defensive prowess for some brilliant shooting.
Why bring this up now? Because as of Dec. 6 — the date the Wildcats lost their third consecutive game while allowing at least 85 points each time — Northwestern’s defense hadn’t ranked so poorly since the 2019-20 team that finished 8-23.
Head coach Chris Collins has demanded better during this four-game interlude before Big Ten play resumes. The Wildcats got off to a nice start with a 93-53 win over Jackson State on Saturday, but now it’s on to a better foe on Tuesday with Valparaiso coming to Evanston, Ill.
“We view it as a restart,” Collins said. “Our habits and discipline and kind of some of the stuff where we needed to be wasn’t there. We said let’s kind of go back to the basics. We did a lot of fundamental work. We did stations. A lot of defensive breakdown drills to kind of get our habits back.”
Northwestern (6-4) enters the game against Valparaiso (6-4) ranked 89th nationally in defensive efficiency. The Wildcats are surrendering 104 points per 100 possessions, while each of Collins’ previous five teams gave up fewer than one point per possession.
While the Wildcats hone their defensive chops, they continue to rely on senior forward Nick Martinelli. The Big Ten’s reigning scoring champ ranks fourth in the league this year with 21.2 points per game, but he has improved his efficiency. He’s hitting 58.9% from the field, which includes 13 of 19 (68.4%) from 3-point range.
Valparaiso, meanwhile, should not be confused for a pushover. In the Beacons’ last road game on Dec. 2 at Marquette, they led by six points with 3:21 to play before suffering a 75-72 overtime loss.
Freshmen Rakim Chaney (11.9 ppg, 3.2 apg) and JT Pettigrew (10.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg) are key components of head coach Roger Powell Jr.’s rebuild. Northwestern serves as Valpo’s final nonconference game as the Beacons open Missouri Valley play Sunday against Murray State.
