If coach Bill Carmody’s five-year rebuilding plan is viable, this fourth season of his Northwestern tenure should be a bounce pass in the right direction.
Progress should be measured by better execution in the form of fewer turnovers, more accurate free-throw shooting and improved inside scoring. And–oh, yes–victories.
After steady tangible progress in his first three seasons on the Evanston campus, Carmody’s Wildcats succumbed to injuries to key players and inconsistent play and finished 12-17 overall and 3-13 in the Big Ten last year. In three seasons at NU, Carmody has a 39-49 record.
If the Wildcats continue to work the shot clock down to its final seconds with calculated passes, only to wind up with 25-foot jumpers, their margin for error remains slim. They desperately need to find easier ways to score inside.
The quick backcourt features sophomore point guard T.J. Parker and swingmen Jitim Young and Mohamed Hachad. The Wildcats open their season Friday night against a big Colorado team, and Carmody is eager to find out what his team has to offer against an NCAA tournament-tested opponent.
“I think our half-court offense needs a lot of work before that game,” Carmody said.
“One of the things that has impressed me the most is the younger guys from a year ago. Guys like Parker, Hachad and Evan Seacat really seem like they have matured. They seem more under control and have a better understanding of what they’re doing.
“Jitim has improved from last year, which I thought would be a tough thing. He looks faster and stronger. He’s blowing by guys without having to be as physical, and he’s finishing better than a year ago.”
The Wildcats were third nationally last season in assist-to-field-goal ratio at .684, with 398 assists on 582 baskets, according to STATS, Inc.
Injuries have hampered the progress of Carmody’s teams the last two seasons. Vedran Vukusic and Ivan Tolic, both of whom redshirted last year, will be two key big men. Senior Patrick Towne has been lost for the year (torn Achilles’ tendon).
“We’re still spending a lot of time teaching the offense, because if the guys are going to run it, they have to know it,” Carmody said. “But we have some new guys who understand the game well and are picking things up quickly.
“Our centers, who play the most important spot in our offense, are different than we’ve had the last few years with Aaron Jennings. They don’t shoot as well from outside as him, but their ability to score inside is as good or maybe better.”
Davor Duvancic and Vince Scott figure to battle Tolic at center.
“Davor has improved measurably again in the off-season,” Carmody said. “He’ll be hard to keep off the court because he can play at forward or center. Vince is learning the system, but he’s a smart kid, and while the center position is the most important part of our offense, it’s also one of the easiest parts to learn.”
Northwestern will face Chicago State, DePaul and Illinois-Chicago. Chicago State comes to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday. DePaul and NU square off at the Allstate Arena on Nov. 25.
Northwestern’s roster
NO NAME HT WT POS YR HOMETOWN (LAST SCHOOL)
00 Tim Doyle 6-5 225 G/F So Merrick, N.Y. (St. Dominic HS)
1 .J. Parker 6-2 165 G So Lisle (HS)
2 Joe Kennedy 5-10 190 G So Glenview (Loyola Academy)
10 Ivan Tolic 6-9 255 F/C So Split, Croatia
11 Vedran Vukusic 6-8 230 F Jr Split, Croatia
14 Mohamed Hachad 6-4 185 G So Montreal, Quebec
24 Evan Seacat 6-3 180 G So Paoli, Ind. (HS)
25 Jitim Young 6-2 190 G Sr Chicago (Gordon Tech)
31 Davor Duvancic 6-8 220 F Jr Split, Croatia
43 Patrick Towne 6-5 225 F Sr Plano, Texas (East HS)
52 Vince Scott 6-10 220 C Fr Phoenix (Greenway HS)
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