Tip-Off - Nov. 13, 2014

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The Daily Northwestern

The Daily Northwestern

By TIM BALK

tje daily northwestern @timbalk

JerShon Cobb has been through a lot at Northwestern.

The 6-foot-5-inch senior guard from Decatur, Georgia, arrived at NU in fall 2010. Since then, he’s played in 73 games, logging almost 2,000 minutes.

There have been bumps along the road.

Sometimes even potholes.

Cobb has gotten hurt every year he’s played at NU. Due to injuries, he missed seven games as a freshman and 12 as sophomore.

Then there was the 2012-13 season, which Cobb missed entirely due to suspension for violation of team policy.

“I had to grow up a lot,” Cobb said. “When I had to sit on the bench and watch my team lose and they needed me, that hurt.”

But Cobb did return, playing a key role for the Wildcats last winter. That is, until he got hurt again. Cobb sustained a foot injury in late February that sent him back to the sideline. After the year, he had surgery to repair a meniscus injury he had played through.

Cobb spent the offseason getting healthy.

He says he is getting back to where he wants to be.

“This offseason I really keyed in on weight training and my diet,” Cobb said. “I think those two things will help me finish this year.”

When Cobb is healthy, he’s an outstanding player. He can score from the outside (35 percent three point shooter last year), battle for rebounds (4.8 rebounds per game last year) and play both the one and the two.

“Growing up I was a natural two,” said Cobb.

“Last year I grew into the point guard position.

timothybalk2018@u.northwestern.edu

6’3” freshman New Castle, Indiana

SF Vic Law

6’7” freshman South Holland, Indiana

SG JerShon Cobb 6’5” senior Decatur, Georgia

PF Sanjay Lumpkin 6’6” sophomore Wayzata, Minnesota

C Alex Olah

7’0” junior Timisoara, Romania

PG Bryant McIntosh will have some growPF Sanjay Lumpkin can be one of the Big Ten’s ing pains as a freshman, but he is mature for better glue guys this season. He doesn’t score his age and ready to be a starting point guard much, but his ability to do all the little things at this level. makes his presence felt on the court.

SF Vic Law possesses great length and ath- Sixth man Tre Demps made clutch shots last sealeticism, allowing him to not only score but also son but shot just 38.3 percent. He said improving his rebound and defend at a high level. shot selection was a focal point of his offseason.

Fearless Forecasters

Predicted Record

Daily sports writers compiled their preseason Big Ten prediction into a cumulative conference poll.

1. Wisconsin 2. Ohio State 3. Michigan State 4. Nebraska 5. Michigan 6. Minnesota 7. Iowa 8. Maryland 9. Illinois 10. Northwestern 11. Indiana 12. Penn State 13. Purdue 14. Rutgers Voters: Alex Putterman, Bobby Pillote, Jesse Kramer, Alex Lederman, Huzaifa Patel

Season Outlook

ALEX

17-14 (6-12 Big Ten)

The Cats should improve marginally from last year’s performance, but the focus will fall on the future more than the present. How Vic Law, Bryant McIntosh and company fare in their debut seasons is more important than how many games the team wins.

BOBBY

18-13 (8-10 Big Ten)

NU will see a spike in performance, jolted by a glut of talented freshmen and a coach who will be better in his second year. This will still be a plodding, defensive team, but the athleticism and scoring is finally there to make some noise in a crowded Big Ten.

JESSE

18-13 (7-11 Big Ten)

An easy non-conference slate will make NU’s overall record look pretty. The Big Ten will be a struggle again, but this young team will progress as the season goes on and finish strong with five of its last eight games at home.

TIM

18-13 (8-10 Big Ten)

A talented freshman class will bolster the Cats. Defense will continue be key for Chris Collins’ team, and the Cats will make enough noise in Big Ten play to elevate expectations further for 2015-16.

ALEX

17-14 (6-12 Big Ten)

This is a better team than last season, and I expect to see a better product on the court.

But the key word there is see, as in by the eye test, because I don’t think the results will follow in the tough Big Ten schedule.

PUTTERMAN Brian Lee/The Daily Northwestern

For all our Northwestern basketball coverage throughout the season, view our basketball blog, Tip-Off, at dailynorthwestern.com/sports/tip-off Sports Editor

Alex Putterman

Assistant Editor

Writers

Bobby Pillote

Jesse Kramer Tim Balk

Cover Design

PILLOTE

KRAMER

BALK

Hanna Balaños Tip-Off is a publication of Students Publishing Co. All material is © 2014 Students Publishing Co. Questions or comments should be sent c/o Sports Editor Alex Putterman, 1999 Campus Dr., Evanston, IL 60208.

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Preseason Poll

SG Bryant McIntosh

C Alex Olah worked on everything this offseaSG JerShon Cobb has had an injury-plagued career, but he said he’s in the best shape of his son: post moves, free throws, outside shooting, rebounding, passing and running the floor. life entering his senior season.

COBB-LED TOGETHER Senior guard JerShon Cobb is the Wildcats’ top returning scorer with 12.2 points per game. Coach Chris Collins expects him to once again be one of the team’s top offensive weapons.

TIP-OFF

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2014

Cobb matures into leader for final season I liked it. I think playing point last year is going to help me this year.”

Playing point guard showed the soft-spoken guard’s ability to lead. As a senior, Cobb’s leadership role is now unquestionable.

“I had to get out of my shell a little bit, talk more,” Cobb said. “I like to show the guys by example, also. I feel like guys can look up to me because I’ve been through a lot.”

Freshman guard Johnnie Vassar says Cobb is a positive influence on the team’s many young players.

“I look at him as like the old man on the team,” Vassar said.“I mean, he’s great. He helps all of the freshmen, including myself.”

Coach Chris Collins hopes Cobb’s rehab will also serve as a form of leadership by example.

“One of the ways I wanted JerShon to lead more than anything is by his ability to work to get back healthy,” Collins said. “You know, for those guys to see what he’s had to do with his rehab, and it’s still a progression. He’s been practicing. He’s injury free, but he’s still working some rust off.”

Now a captain, Cobb has seen injuries, suspensions, big wins — he says the win at Wisconsin last year sticks out for him — and long, losing seasons.

For all Cobb has been through at NU, there’s still something he hasn’t experienced. Cobb has yet to feel what it’s like to play in his sport’s crown jewel: the NCAA Tournament.

But there is still time left for Cobb to check a trip to The Dance off his basketball bucket list.

“I want to do well and lead the team, but I want to win,” Cobb said. “I want to get to the NCAA Tournament.”

The Daily Northwestern

LEDERMAN

Brian Lee/Daily Senior Staffer

OLAH AMIGO Junior Alex Olah says he has benefitted from the presence of fellow big man Jeremiah Kreisberg, who arrived from Yale this year for his senior season. Olah averaged 9.1 points and 5.2 rebounds last season.

Olah, Kreisberg make each other better

By JESSE KRAMER

daily senior staffer @Jesse_Kramer

The coaching staff ’s expectations are straightforward for 7-foot junior Alex Olah: They want him to be one of the Big Ten’s best centers.

Olah made major improvements last season, and he put in the individual work necessary to progress more as a junior. But his development has accelerated thanks to the addition of 6-foot-10-inch Yale transfer Jeremiah Kreisberg.

Kreisberg, who has one season of eligibility with the Wildcats, has the size and skill to challenge Olah in practice.

Coach Chris Collins said last season the Cats were unable to test Olah to help him improve.

Nikola Cerina was the only other scholarship player taller than 6-foot-7-inches, and he did not have the skill to compete at the Big Ten level. He played only 8.8 minutes per game.

As a result of not being tested, Olah would often have a false sense of confidence entering games, Collins said. With Kreisberg on the team, the 7-footer cannot ease through practice against smaller competition anymore.

“I think (Olah) has to be really sharp if he wants to be successful against me,” Kreisberg said. “I think I make him think a lot. I know his moves.”

In addition to the physical challenge, Kreisberg brings a high basketball IQ to the team.

Assistant coach Brian James, who works with the frontcourt, said Kreisberg is a “workaholic.”

The newcomer constantly wants to watch film and improve his knowledge of the game.

Olah said Kreisberg has transmitted some of that basketball wisdom to him. Kreisberg’s knowledge of the game also compensates for Olah’s size advantage, making Olah’s life more difficult when they battle in practice.

“He might not be as tall as me,” Olah said, “but with his experience he knows how to guard me. He knows a lot about basketball.

He makes me better.”

Olah took the first step toward becoming one of the conference’s better centers last season.

His scoring average jumped from 6.1 points per game as a freshman to 9.1 as a sophomore.

More importantly, his field-goal percentage improved from 41.5 percent to 50.9 percent.

James said his goal for Olah as a junior is to average a double-double. That is a lofty target,

but what Olah has learned from practicing against Kreisberg makes the objective more realistic.

“It’s tougher for Alex to succeed in practice,” James said. “Not only is Jeremiah strong physically, but he is very crafty on the court in terms of stopping what he feels Alex’s strengths are.

Some practices Alex has really had the best of Jeremiah, and Jeremiah has really had the best of Alex at some points.”

Kreisberg’s role goes well beyond being Olah’s tool for improvement. With his skill, basketball IQ and work ethic, the coaches (Jeremiah expect he will Kreisberg) might see significant floor time. not be as tall as Even me, but with his though he is experience he the grizzled veteran, Kreisknows how to berg has also guard me. He learned and improved by knows a lot about going against basketball. He his younger makes me better. counterpart every day in Alex Olah, practice. junior center “I’m jealous of how talented (Olah) is,” Kreisberg said. “I had a lot of bad habits coming out of the Ivy League, just not finishing strong every time. I could play at 90 percent (there) versus 110 percent (here). With him, if I ever take a play off, I’m screwed. At Yale, I’d be going against 6-foot-8 guys every day. Now going against a potential all-Big Ten 7-footer, it’s awesome.”

Contending for a spot on the all-Big Ten team may still be a season away. But there are only a handful of true centers in the Big Ten, and James said Olah could realistically be among the league’s elite at that position if he gets enough minutes.

For Olah, reaching that goal is all about continuing to develop, both by practicing against Kreisberg and competing against opponents once the season starts.

“Every time I play, I’ve got to be the best center on the court day in and day out,” Olah said. “Every day is a day for improvement.”

“

jessekramer2017@u.northwestern.edu

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The Daily Northwestern

TIP-OFF

Thursday, November 13, 2014

5 things

Photo by Brian Lee/Daily Senior Staffer

to look forward to in the 2014-15 season

By ALEX PUTTERMAN

daily senior staffer @AlexPutt02

Northwestern’s season starts Friday night with a game against Houston Baptist at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Here’s what to get excited about:

1. The freshmen This year’s freshman class is one of the deepest and best in program history. Point guard Bryant McIntosh and forward Vic Law are expected to start immediately, while guards Johnnie Vassar and Scottie Lindsey and forward Gavin Skelly will have chances to earn minutes.

Law, a lanky wing with raw athleticism, comes in as the most hyped in recruiting rankings. But McIntosh, with his poise and court vision, might be the most college-ready of the group.

Whether or not any of the freshmen are stars from the get-go, their progression will be a major indicator of the program’s future. Many think this is the group to end NU’s NCAA Tournament-less streak, and though we certainly won’t know any time soon if that’s the case, we could draw some conclusions about the program’s direction.

2. The rise of Olah Center Alex Olah was probably NU’s most improved player last season. Now a junior, Olah has continued to

work on his back-to-the-basket game and should add to the useful jump-hook he showed off in 2013-14.

After averaging 9.1 points per game last year, Olah should score in double figures, and with Drew Crawford gone, is a lock to lead the Wildcats in rebounding. With NU’s newfound frontcourt depth, Olah won’t have to play quite as many minutes as he did in 2013-14, which could keep him fresh deep into the season.

Olah has a strong chance to emerge as one of the team’s best players and maybe one of the Big Ten’s best centers.

3. An easy non-conference schedule It’s hard to know how many games the Cats will win in January and February, so it’s good to know they’ll find some easy wins in November and December.

NU plays only one or two major conference opponents outside of the Big Ten (depending on the results of the Cancun Challenge), beginning with underwhelming Houston Baptist on Friday. Of the Cats’ 13 non-conference games, nine are at home.

The easy non-conference slate might be beneficial for Chris Collins’ young team. In a year when NU has serious NCAA Tournament aspirations, strength of schedule will be important. But with that not really a consideration this year, there’s little harm in building confidence against lesser opponents. The tough competition the Cats need to improve awaits in Big Ten play anyway.

Freshmen point guards

By JESSE KRAMER

daily senior staffer @Jesse_Kramer

Northwestern had one of the slowest tempos in college basketball season, but senior guard JerShon Cobb, a co-captain, said the team wants running to be its identity.

A big reason why Johnnie Vassar they can be successful with a faster allows you to tempo are the addimaybe go to a tions of freshmen little bit faster point guards Bryant McIntosh and Johntempo. He can nie Vassar. Between change the McIntosh’s cour t energy of a game vision and ball hanwhen he comes dling and Vassar’s explosiveness and in. at h l e t i c i s m , t h e young guards can Chris Collins, be a pesky pair who coach complement each other in the backcourt when it comes to their skills and roles on the team.

“My role is just to run the team, to get us in our offense and create for myself or others,” McIntosh said. “Johnnie brings a whole other element to our defense. No offense to me

“

or (senior point guard Dave Sobolewski), but we don’t really possess that quick, spark-plug energy that Johnnie has.”

Last season, Sobolewski started 21 games at point guard. When he missed time with an injury, Cobb and junior Tre Demps left their natural positions as two-guards to become part-time facilitators.

The Cats’ backcourt will look different this season with the new pieces, and coach Chris Collins said he will at times use a two-point-guard system. He experimented with such a lineup in NU’s exhibition against McKendree.

McIntosh and Vassar saw 5:26 of floor time together over two different stretches in the 102-52 win. After some sloppy play in their first stretch, the combo looked smoother late in the second half, as the team went on an 8-2 run before McIntosh was subbed out.

McIntosh has experience playing as a two-guard before college, so playing with another point guard on the floor is not a major adjustment for him.

4. JerShon Cobb’s denouement Senior guard JerShon Cobb has a chance to close out his NU career with his first drama-free campaign.

After missing time to injury in three seasons and to suspension in a fourth, Cobb can erase — or at least mitigate — the bad memories.

When he’s been on the court, Cobb has been a pretty good player.

He creates his own shot and defends well, and last year he shifted to point guard when necessary.

This year, for the first time, Cobb will be looked to as NU’s best player and team leader. There’s plenty of room for a happy ending.

5. The real start of the Collins era Last year was Collins’ first as Cats coach, but this will be his first opportunity to work with players he brought to the program himself.

With six newcomers out of 12 scholarship players, the program is rapidly becoming Collins’ own.

The former Duke assistant has said from the start that he envisions NU eventually playing an up-tempo offense far different from the plodding one he orchestrated last year. With the new personnel, Collins will be able to push the Cats away from what they looked like before his arrival and toward how he hopes they’ll look down the road.

Collins stamping his identity on the program will be a story to watch this season and beyond. asputt@u.northwestern.edu

accelerate Cats offense On the other hand, Vassar said he was generally the main point guard on his high school and AAU teams. He is still acclimating to playing in lineups with a second point guard.

“You have to learn to play without the ball in your hands,” Vassar said.

“But in the end, it’s just playing basketball, the game that we’ve all been playing.”

Last season, NU was a onetrick pony. The Cats always played with a slow tempo, rarely pressed and buckled down in the half-court on both ends.

With a dynamic player like Vassar, the Cats will be able to show some different looks and keep opponents off balance.

“He allows you to maybe go to Source: Stephen J. Carrera/Northwestern Athletic Communications

BIG MAC Point guard Bryant McIntosh will partner with fellow freshman Johnnie Vassar to form a speedy backcourt duo. With help from McIntosh and Vassar, coach Chris Collins hopes to speed up the Wildcats this year.

a little bit faster tempo,” Collins said. “He can change the energy of a game when he comes in. Maybe we’re a little sluggish. All of the sudden, you can throw him in there and get him pushing the ball and picking the ball up. It gives us a change of pace, which I like. There’s no question when he’s in we can play more athletic and faster, and that’s something that he’s got to embrace.”

Vassar understands his role and does embrace it.

“If you need someone to pressure someone or push up the tempo, just call on me,” he said.

Collins said he is a coach who builds a system around his personnel rather than forcing his personnel into a system.

That is what happened last season. He switched up the team’s style in mid-January once he realized a slow tempo and commitment to defense would lead to more success.

With additions like McIntosh and Vassar, Collins can once again alter the team’s identity.

“I’ve always been a coach to use the guys I have on a given team and try to devise a way to play,” Collins said. “I didn’t come into last year thinking we were going to evolve into the team we did. But then we saw who we had, and we evolved into that team who could be competitive. This team’s a whole different team.” jessekramer2017@u.northwestern.edu