Northwestern pounds Purdue from start to finish

LTP jumping in here on PRR’s Northwestern hoops recap. News of a major announcment between Northwestern and the Cubs this Tuesday has Twitter buzzing in Wildcat Nation.  Both Neil Hayes, via Twitter, and Teddy Greenstein in this Saturday article, have reported that NU may be announcing multiple future Wrigley Field games, starting in 2014, after Wrigley Field renovations are completed (and the embarassing one-way game can be eliminated). We will be blowing this out in the morning, along with more reflections on the ‘Cats impressive romp over the Boilermakers.  Just wanted you to know it’ll be ready for your Sunday brunch and some NU-ness on Super Bowl Sunday.

Northwestern Pounds Purdue 75-60

The beat down started on the first play of the game.

Northwestern won the tip and just had an energy about it. Following a partly discouraging, partly encouraging effort against Michigan, Northwestern made sure the first few minutes of this game counted. And then the Wildcats never let go.

Dave Soblewski came off a downscreen and was open for a 3-pointer. That would become a recurring theme throughout the game as Purdue struggled to get over and around screens all afternoon long. Northwestern scored the first 12 points of the game and held on to that double-digit for most of the afternoon. The Wildcats hit 11 of 26 3-pointers and 53.1 percent shooting for the game.

The Wildcats had control of the game and got whatever they wanted. The Boilermakers struggled to get off on the right foot and find any kind of momentum. That and Northwestern would not allow it as the team won easily 75-60.

With the 3-pointers falling early, Northwestern was able to get its back-door cuts going as the defense was pulled completely apart. With Alex Olah even hitting a few jumpers, the Boilermakers were at a complete loss the entire game. NU was patient and precise with its cutting and execution. Purdue struggled to get shots or move the ball early.

And by a certain point, the Boilermakers were so far down that they needed to get some stops and hope to make some shots. When Purdue finally did, Northwestern had the answer extending the lead back to 14 points at halftime. The Wildcats extended that lead out past 20 points. From there they could trade baskets and the Boilermakers could not make a run.

It was a complete effort.

Reggie Hearn scored a career high 26 points, including 21 in the first half on a near-perfect 9-for-10 shooting. . Alex Olah had nine points and helped established himself in the paint, adding five assists. Dave Sobolewski had 13 points, six rebounds and six assists. Jared Swopshire had 13 points and seven rebounds.

The Wildcats defense did a great job too giving up 33.3 percent. Even though Purdue was able to pick up offensive rebounds in the second half and even had a seven-point possession that cut a 21-point lead down to 14. The defense though was good enough, forcing eight turnovers. Again, there was little to complain about.

Because after that seven-point possession, NU responded with another run to seize momentum and control of the lead again.

Purdue’s defense and offense was just not disciplined to stay with Northwestern. It was one of the few times the Wildcats have dominated for a full 40-minute game. The only problem Northwestern had was defending freshman center A.J. Hammons scoring 19 points off the bench after being late for the team bus. D.J. Byrd had 12 points on four 3-pointers.

The Boilermakers could not get anyone else going offensively. The Wildcats’ offense was rolling too much and the Princeton offense was working.

It was a perfect game. A rarity with this team of late.

This one is one to enjoy.