Tripping into today’s game on a two-game losing streak, the Northwestern men’s basketball team needs to reverse their fortunes fast, especially if they don’t want people to write them off. The ‘Cats (1-4) square off against the Savannah State Tigers (5-5) today at Welsh-Ryan arena. NU looked to be improving against Brown last weekend, but in this week’s ACC-Big Ten Challenge (also known as the Big Ten’s mass sacrafice to the ACC Gods) Virginia rattled the Wildcats. Today’s contest should help NU see which team is the real NU – an improving youth-filled squad, or a plain bad basketball team.

Pre-Game

13 minutes to tip - What a difference a band makes. Welsh-Ryan isn’t nearly as full as it was last week against Brown (which, may I remind you, was during Thanksgiving), but NU’s band is here, blasting through old standbyes “Accidentally in Love” and “Holiday” by Green Day. Extremely loud, but pretty empty, especially the student section. Since all students should be back by now, you’d think they would have a little larger presence. Aside: the cheerleaders/dance squad/not sure who dance right in front of the press row, so I’m writing all this while a row of ladies strut their stuff right in front of me. Quite the odd distraction.

7 minutes to tip - Still not filling up. I understand the NU community considers waking up at noon on a Saturday a monumental task, but c’mon, free basketball. In an effort to block out the I’ve-heard-this-a-bajillion-times-before songs played over the PA system (”Living on a Prayer?” Again??), I’m listeing to Grizzly Bear on headphones. It’s actually really odd pump-up music, and much better than an All-American Rejects song. Then again, I’m a big nerd.

1:30 to tip - Did you know Tim Doyle does commentary for WGN’s radio broadcasts of NU games? The fans chant his name, and I notice his slicked back hair. Wow, I give the guy props, he must really dig NU. OK, Grizzly Bear goes off.

First Half

20:00 - Lets get this game going. I’m still suprised the arena isn’t close to looking as full as it did last week, though I may be underestimating the Brown presence at Welsh-Ryan last week. Savannah State looks like the poor-man’s Florida in their orange-and-blue get-ups. NU better hope they don’t play remotely like the Gators. The Tigers take the tip, and promptly give the ball up on a traveling call. Sterling Williams takes the ball hard to the hoop, hitting the bucket and drawing the foul. Williams may be the key to today’s game.

19:00 - Savannah State does the same thing as Williams, missing the free-throw and everything. They also nail a nice jump-shot, giving them the lead. Northwestern responds with a lay-up. Evenly matched so far, and by that I mean neither team looks defensively sound. The Tigers hit a big three, taking the lead back early.

15:50 - So, I think I’ve figured this game out, at least early on. Both teams look pretty even, except, Savannah State makes the shots they take and gets rebounds on both sides of the court. This place is dead right now, the ‘Cats accomplishing nothing of note early.

14:00 - Frustrating stuff early on for NU. They get plenty of good opportunities, but the ball just won’t go in. Sterling Williams puts in an easy lay-up, cutting the Tigers lead down quite a bit. Savannah State’s problem so far – traveling. They have now turned the ball over three times due to traveling calls. Remember guys, you dribble the ball.

11:30 - A really ugly game. Both squads turn the ball over like it’s on fire, and take pretty dumb shots. NU looks a little worse though, as Savannah State can rebound, at least. Northwestern bringing the score closer, after another layup. They should be winning, though.

8:54 - Mike Capocci ties the game up with a nice run to the basket plus the foul. Northwestern picking up the quality of their play now. And Craig Moore gives them the lead with a lay-up that couldn’t decide whether it wanted to go in or out of the hoop. It chose the former. The Tigers quickly equalize, and Welsh-Ryan now seems to be buzzing a little. Though it might just be the Lou Malnati’s pizza delivery game.

7:34 - Rebounds really smacking NU in the face. After taking the lead, the ‘Cats fail to grab a missed Savannah State shot, and the Tigers quickly put the ball in to even the score once again. Northwestern never seems to rebound well, as I recall this problem being persistent back my freshman year two years back. You’d think they’d go to a summer camp for boards or something by now.

5:45 - Two straight turnovers on NU’s part, meaning the Tigers add four point to the scoreboard. NU making some careless plays as the half draws to a close.

4:53 - Craig Moore drills a huge three, and then Savannah State forgets to dribble again, another traveling call.

3:55 - Geez, Savannah State travels again. Dribbling a basketball isn’t that hard, dudes. As the Tigers desparately Wikipedia “Basketball rules” during a timeout, I must say, Willie looks dashing in his NU basketball jersey. The shorts bring out the niceness of his furry knees.

2:50 - Another great score by Craig Moore, quickly becoming the ‘Cats crucial player of the day. Helps he also steals the ball from the Tigers. NU can’t capitalize on the steal, but Savannah State fails to do anything as well, missing a three. Craig Moore shoots the three…and misses the backboard by a good several inches. Yikes. Everyone makes mistakes, he’s still the half’s best player.

0:00 - Jeff Ryan shooting free throws to tie or give the ‘Cats the lead. Misses it. On the final shot of the half, Savannah State hits a tough-and-lucky three, giving them a four-point edge. And the teams head to the locker room. A very odd half of basketball, as both teams looked stellar and sub-par, neither stepping up to take control of this game (which either squad could have done). Savannah State needs to focus on stopping the turnovers, especially the idiotic travels they keep committing, while NU needs to rebound and hit the shots they take. Should be an interesting second-half, depending on which teams show up for it.

Second Half

20:00 - Van Halen’s “Jump” welcomes us to the second half, odd as their is know jump whatsoever. Savannah State starts with the ball, which they promptly throw out of bounds, smacking into a saxophonist. NU does no better, turning the ball over quickly to the Tigers. And then Savannah State gives the ball away. Ugly way to start the half.

18:55 - Free throws pull NU a little closer to the Tigers, 28-26. But Savannah State heads to the line, drilling in two to bring the lead back to four. Fun fact! NU and Savannah State share a history of sporting lameness. Where NU holds the longest losing streak in NCAA football history, the Tigers have the (dis)honor of being the last team to lose every single game in a basketball season, back in 2005. That team went 0-28.

16:51 - NU grabs the lead after a lay-up and a free-throw. Can they hold it?

15:42 - The Wildcats look fierce this half, attacking the Tigers defensively and forcing bad passes galore. If the offense could capture some of that intensity, Northwestern could be scampering away with this game. The band plays “Holiday” by Green Day. Again. Please, I beg you band, listen to the radio. Read Rolling Stone. For the love of music, watch MTV. Find something contemporary to play, please.

15:00 - Another Tiger travel. Another huge bucket by the ‘Cats. Northwestern starting to (gasp!) run away with this game. Maybe. A steal plus lay-up drives the case home a bit more.

13:09 – Even I’m embarassed. Savannah State travels once again. These calls are destroying the Tigers. Yet, Savannah State floats in a three, and cuts the score down to 40-33. NU can’t get content. And, hey, they don’t! They respond with a three of their own.

10:44 - Sterling Williams plays the role of the school hottie while the Tigers portray the nerd, Williams rejecting the Tigers strong. Great block by Williams, a key defensive play after Savannah scored a three on the previous possession. The band plays an odd version of “Hey Baby,” emphasizing the trumpet over everything else. An odd rendition. How about “Umbrella?” Everyone loves “Umbrella.” Lets learn “Umbrella,” NU band.

10:14 - Tigers won’t go away quietly. Another two-pointer by Savannah State, and NU turns possession over. Don’t go anywhere just yet.

8:20 - Savannah State pulls off an impressive block…and steps out of bounds. NU ball. The ‘Cats draw a foul, and drain both shots. The Wildcats still haven’t gotten rebounds down, allowing the Tigers to scoop up the ball once again. Northwestern would have this wrapped up if they grabbed rebounds better.

7:04 - Whaaaat? NU travels? Didn’t see that coming. Savannah State starting to amp up the intensity, though they still haven’t been taking wise shots. The Wildcats hit a big three to make the situation a little less hectic.

5:40 - Northwestern figuring out the three-point game at just the right time. Another long-distance bucket extends the ‘Cats lead. Aside – guess who the most adamant supporters of NU basketball are. That would be greying, middle-aged men. These guys, in fleece sweaters, scream and yell at the refs every second. They also all wear glasses. Coincidence?

4:23 - Savannah State pushes a Wildcat down, looking pretty obvious as a foul. Called a jump ball, Tiger ball. Bad call. Savannah State fails to take advantage though, turning the ball over. NU needs to just shut down Savannah State, and they’ll have their second win of the season.

2:45 - The Tigers not folding, that’s for sure. They are playing extremely physically now, sending the ‘Cats to the line with a lot of time left. NU makes every free throw presented to them, throwing a biggie-sized wrench into Savannah State’s plans. NU fouls, meaning the Tigers get a shot to cut into the score. And they do. Both teams playing super hard in the final two minutes.

1:59 – The refs making some very, very questionable calls. Savannah State charges into an NU players, smacking the side of his face like an NFL linebacker, but a travel on NU is called. The Tigers are blowing all the opportunities handed to them though, missing shots and making dumb passes. NU up by eight as the clock ticks away, until Savannah State nails a big three. Place goes quiet.

1:32 - So many fouls going down here as the second half (slowly) winds down. NU continues hitting the free throws given to them. But the Tigers hit another three, and NU fouls him. Four-point play? Nope, misses the free throw. Good bit of fortune for NU. ‘Cats killing the clock. Huge three by Craig Moore, that may finish off the Tigers.

:32 - The Wildcats look sharp from the free throw line, and taking advantage of all the fouls has secured NU its second win of the season. Savannah State turns the ball over once again, and the clock continues to tick away…

:00 - Northwestern wins their second game of the still-young season, beating Savannah State . The ‘Cats looked energized and determined in the second half, playing the best basketball they’ve played all season. It helped that the Tigers came undone completely after halftime. Good win for the ‘Cats (any win is good, but you know what I mean), but can they build momentum off of this win? Check back in Monday night when they play another very winnable game against Arkansas State at Welsh-Ryan.