March 24, 2010

Updated WNIT Bracket (3.23.10)

Michigan Game Notes

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern looks to continue its postseason momentum Thursday evening against a familiar foe, Big Ten rival Michigan, in the WNIT round of 16. Action gets underway at 6 p.m. CT from Crisler Arena and will be carried on WNUR 89.3 FM and streamed live on bigtennetwork.com.

Though it will be the fourth time this season these two teams have met, it will undoubtedly evoke high emotions, as a trip to the round of eight with a chance to play either Syracuse or Virginia Commonwealth is on the line.

Fans who wish to stay up-to-date on the action in Thursday's game can do so by following the username @NU_sportsLIVE on Twitter. The game will be carried on WNUR 89.3 FM and streamed live on bigtennetwork.com. For complete coverage of the WNIT Tournament, please visit the WNIT Championship Website.

Let's Talk Postseason
Junior Beth Marshall leads Northwestern in scoring through the first two postseason contests, averaging 18 ppg and shooting 57 percent from long range (8-of-14). She is also second on the team in field goal percentage, connecting on 55 percent of her looks, while going 6-of-8 from the free-throw line. Also in the past two games, Northwestern has found its groove offensively, averaging 72.5 ppg and hitting 54 percent from three-point territory. The 'Cats have capped off both victories with solid efforts from the free-throw line, combining to go 15-of-18 (83 percent) in the final five minutes. Overall, the 'Cats are shooting 82 percent from the charity stripe in the postseason.

Additionally...
• Amy Jaeschke and Beth Marshall have accounted for 47 percent (69-of-145) of Northwestern's postseason offensive production.
• Meanwhile, Meshia Reed and Brittany Orban have come up big for the 'Cats as well. Reed is third on the team with 9.5 ppg and second in rebounds per postseason outing (6.0), while Orban is shooting a team-best 55.6 percent from the field and 66 percent from three-point land. Combined, the two are also 13-of-15 (86 percent) from the charity stripe.

What This Means In Wildcat Annals
Last Thursday's win over Duquesne in the opening round of the WNIT marked the third postseason victory for women's basketball at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The last time Northwestern won at home was on March 17, 1993 when it defeated Georgia Tech, 90-62, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Last Time NU Was In The Postseason...
The last time the Wildcats reached postseason play was in the 1996-97 campaign. Ironically enough, Northwestern lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to George Washington (61-46), which was coached by current NU mentor Joe McKeown. Northwestern's experience in the WNIT came the year before (1995-96) when it defeated Illinois State (93-71) and LSU (79-75), before falling to Arizona in the championship matchup, 79-63. That was also the last time NU won back-to-back postseason contests. In total, Northwestern has now played 19 postseason games in 11 seasons.

'Cats Save The Best For Last
In the last two games, Northwestern has turned in some of its best efforts of the season. The Wildcats' 45-point second-half effort against Duquesne was the most NU has scored in a half all year. Additionally, the Wildcats also shot a season-high 72 percent from three-point range during that game. At St. Bonaventure Monday, Northwestern turned the ball over a season-low nine times.

Complete game notes can be accessed by clicking on the PDF above.