Max Jones: So which players are you guys looking at as "X Factors" this season? Is there anybody you think is under-recognized? Overhyped?
Stanley Kay: I think the key player for Northwestern this season is going to be JerShon Cobb. We know John Shurna is going to be solid almost every night if he can stay healthy; Shurna averaged 16.6 points per game last season and he could be even better this year. Similarly, Drew Crawford should be another key contributor, but Cobb has the most to gain this year after getting a year of experience under his belt. Last year, Cobb averaged 7.4 points per game. If he can make a big jump from his freshman year to his sophomore year, then the Wildcats could take a jump as well. Cobb could very well end up playing point guard the majority of possessions for the Wildcats, in which case he would be an even more significant aspect of this team. Cobb was the first four star recruit in Northwestern basketball history, and if he can live up to the hype this season the Wildcats could find themselves in great position to make the tournament for the first time ever. It starts with staying healthy - Cobb was injured toward the end of last season - and becoming a more formidable scoring threat. What do you think, Max?
Max Jones: Cobb and Crawford are crucial because they're the only real threats Northwestern has to put the ball on the floor and create; certainly both need to take big steps if the Wildcats are going to make a run to the tournament. But on a game-to-game basis, everything hinges on Luka Mirkovic. Northwestern was frequently overmatched last season in the front-court, and unless freshman forward Mike Turner is ready to step in and play 15 productive minutes a game, Luka is pretty much on his own (Curletti also needs to have a big season, of course, but he's more of a known quantity). Mirkovic is intriguing because he plays with such passion that he can completely swing games when he makes a big play, but he can also completely lose it. If the 'Cats get consistent defense from Luka (containing the big men of the Big Ten, Draymond Green and Jared Sullinger foremost among them), then that will make all the difference in making the leap from NIT to NCAA. We're running out of players here, Kim do you have your eye on anyone?
Kimberly Alters: You guys said it already - I was thinking Cobb and Crawford. I think last year expectations were high for these guys and I'm not sure that they met them to the fullest, which makes sense considering their limited experience. But now both are one year wiser and better and as you said, Max, the ‘Cats need them to step up and use their potential for offensive creativity. One thing I was going to say, though, in terms of the under-recognized players, is that I don't think people realize how key Alex Marcotullio is to this team. The junior averaged about 23 minutes and 6.2 points per game last season and is a key role player for the 'Cats. Right now he's already battling an ankle injury, but here's hoping he can step in and contribute.
Kit Fox: You guys have hit it on the head in terms of the men's team, so I want to shift gears here and talk about to the women's team. Losing their star Big Ten center, Amy Jaeschke, will no doubt hurt the 'Cats in terms of paint production. The team is already practicing a new style of game that is much faster and free flowing to compensate for that lack of a power center. That’s why junior forward Kendall Hackney will be their key player. She stepped up last year and became the second highest scorer as well as a vocal leader. This year, she will have to use her speed to help push this new fast-paced offense.
Roundtable: Who needs to step up this season?