Beginning Monday, June 21st, 2004 CHN began unveiling 144 Team previews in 144 Days. CHN ranked the nations top 144 teams, and is unveiling one per day leading up until the opening day of the 2004-05 Season.

Bookmark the 144 Teams in 144 Days home page, and check back each day to see which team is previewed next.

#118 Northwestern Wildcats

Big Ten

 2003-04: 14-15, 8-8, 6^th

2003-04 postseason: none

By Joel Welser

Going .500 in the Big Ten is huge for the Wildcats.  The last time Northwestern made the NCAA tourney was…well they’ve never made it to the big dance believe it or not.  Bill Carmody is doing an impressive job in Evanston, but that streak will likely continue.  Some are riding high on that .500 record last year, but losing their scoring and moral leader should quell those hopes quite quickly.

Who’s Out: Jitim Young was the only senior on the team last year, but he's the one guy the Wildcats can't afford to lose.  Young scored nearly 18 points per game and provided a much needed leadership role.  At 6-2, Young even led the squad with six rebounds per game.  He played nearly every minute of every game last year and will be greatly missed.

Who’s In: Incoming freshman Sterling Williams is the first player from the Chicago Public League to sign with the Wildcats since 1979.  Williams is projected as a shooting guard, but at 6-5 he could see some time up front.  Brandon Lee is a combo guard who played his high school ball in the shadow of teammate Shaun Livingston.  At 6-1, Brandon will most likely see his minutes running the point.  Gary Lee rounds out the group of incoming freshmen.  Gary, who has no relation to Brandon, is a terrific shooter and at 6-6, can play the two guard or small forward.  A couple of transfers will be eligible for the Wildcats this year as well.  Tim Doyle is transferring from St. John’s and Michael Thompson will be able to play in January after transferring from Duke.

Who to Watch: The Wildcats do have some good scorers in Vedran Vukusic, Mohamed Hachad and Davor Duvancic.  It will be up to T.J. Parker to get them the ball.  Parker averaged nearly nine points per game during his sophomore campaign.  Other scorers will step up, so it is his four assists per game that will be important.  The brother of Spurs point guard Tony Parker has plenty of experience and skills and needs to become the leader for this team on and off the court. 

Projected Conference Rank: Without Jitim Young the Wildcats won’t do as good as they did last year.  Usually just staying out of the basement is a moral victory in Evanston.  Northwestern should be able to do that and finish 9^th in the Big Ten.

Projected Post-season Tournament: none

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