Northwestern coach Chris Collins is trying his best to “embrace the process” of developing his young Wildcats into winners.
But some steps are more agonizing than others.
Wednesday night’s 72-67 home loss to Illinois and Sunday’s frustrating overtime loss at Michigan State are testing his resolve.
“We’ve got to move forward,” Collins said. “It’s a long conference season and we’ve played four games and we’re 1-3. We could easily say we could be 3-1, but we’re not. That’s reality, and it’s not about coming close. It’s about finding ways to win. That’s the next step for us as a team.”
The Wildcats (10-7) dropped their third straight as Illinois shot 41.9 percent from the field (26 of 62). Northwestern had 11 turnovers, compared with just three by the Illini.
“Our guys did a great job taking care of the ball,” Illinois coach John Groce said.
The Wildcats have 25 turnovers in their last two games. Freshman point guard Bryant McIntosh had a team-high 16 points but turned the ball over five times.
“Our hands weren’t active,” McIntosh said of the Wildcats’ defense. “You can’t turn the ball over, especially when you aren’t getting turnovers ourselves.”
Illinois outscored NU 14-0 in points off turnovers.
“In football vernacular, those are like pick-sixes,” Collins said. “When you get those quick two-on-ones … they were able to get four or five easy baskets in transition. And when you are playing a one-possession game, that adds up.”
Illinois had six steals, the Wildcats none.
Center Alex Olah played perhaps his best game of the season, collecting 14 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots. But the 7-footer’s 3-point attempt rimmed out with 1:15 remaining that could have made it a two-point game.
“I don’t know about that one, if that was a ghost,” Olah said. “I saw it (going) in, but it wasn’t meant to be.”
Northwestern defended the perimeter better in the second half. Illinois connected on 7 of 17 3-pointers in the first half but just 1 of 7 after the break.
“The game was kind of let down for us on defense in the first half,” Collins said. “They ran their stuff well. Those two wings (Aaron Cosby and Kendrick Nunn) had great nights, so it’s life in the Big Ten.
“You play tough, hard-fought games. They come down to a possession here and a possession there. It’s a one-point game with four seconds to go and Nunn walks up and makes four big free throws. You’ve got to give him credit.”
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