Dec. 26, 2009

Michigan Game Notes

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern (RV/RV) resumes Big Ten play Monday evening when it battles Michigan (RV/RV) in a 6 p.m. CT contest in Ann Arbor. The showdown, just NU's third road trip of the season, will be carried live on www.bigtennetwork.com.

The Wildcats enter the contest on a five-game win streak and have composed their best start since the 1995-96 season. Michigan, with a 9-2, 1-0 mark, also brings an impressive preseason resume to the affair, including a victory over then-No. 8 Xavier and a three-point triumph over Iowa in its conference debut.

Last time out...
An 18-2 run to close the first half helped Northwestern stretch out its lead as it downed local foe Loyola Chicago 85-58 Tuesday afternoon at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Sophomore Brittany Orban led the Wildcats with a season-high 22 points, while freshman Kendall Hackney added a career-best 20 points off the bench.

The Wildcats also dominated on the glass, posting a 44-21 advantage, paced by nine boards by Dannielle Diamant who fell one rebound shy of a double-double as she tallied 10 points. Amy Jaeschke added 16 points for NU.

Opponent profile
Michigan Wolverines
• 2009-10 Record: 9-2, 1-0
• Series History: 34-22, Northwestern
• Last Meeting: Feb.5, 2009; 60-57, Northwestern

'Cats Off To Best Start Since 1995-96 Season
With a 67-55 victory over Arkansas on Thursday, Dec. 17, Northwestern recorded its eighth win of the season, which surpasses its win total from all of last season (7-23). Additionally, the Wildcats are off to their best start since the 1995-96 campaign when they went 11-1 through their first 12 games. Northwestern was receiving votes in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today polls last week.

On a Roll
NU's victory over Loyola (Chicago) Tuesday (12/22/09) was its fifth-straight win and its sixth triumph in the last seven outings. The last time the Wildcats strung together five consecutive `W's' was during the 1998-99 campaign. Should the 'Cats return from Ann Arbor victorious, it will mark the most successful six-game span since 1995-96.

'Cats Representing The Big Ten In A Big Way
Northwestern's victory over SEC foe Arkansas marked the third victory over a major BCS conference member. The Wildcats have knocked off a Big East team--then-No. 15 Depaul, 59-55; a Big XII member--Kansas State, 53-50; and then SEC participant, Arkansas, 67-55. The Wildcats have already downed a fellow Big Ten rival, Purdue, 60-58, in the conference-opener on Dec. 6.

Marshall, Jaeschke Rank Among Nation's Best
According to the most recent NCAA statistics (12/21/09), Beth Marshall and Amy Jaeschke are among the nation's best in their respective crafts. Marshall is 13th in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.95) while Jaeschke is fourth in blocked shots (3.92 per outing). Both rank atop those categories in the Big Ten.

Orban Getting It Done For NU
Brittany Orban has been a huge contributor for Northwestern this season. The sophomore turned in a season-high 22 points on 8-of-11 from the field and 4-of-6 from beyond that arc against Loyola (Chicago) on 12.22.09. Orban also notched her first double-double effort of the season against Chicago State (12.19.09) with 20 points and a career-high 10 caroms. She also chipped in four assists and was 4-of-5 from three-point land in the victory. Orban has now tallied double-figures seven times this year, including five of the past six contests, and is second on the squad with 11.8 ppg.

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