Michigan vs. Northwestern
The first-round match-up of the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds in the 2005 Big Ten Tournament features two teams that failed to compete with even the semi-elite of the conference this season. That is exactly what the post-season is for: a chance for a new life for Northwestern and Michigan, the chance starts on Mar. 10.
The Northwestern Wildcats (6-10 Big Ten, 14-15 overall), who averaged only 59.3 points per game leaned heavily on junior forward Vedran Vukusic and his 17.2 points per game. The only other Wildcat to average double digits was junior center Michael Thompson, with 10.2. The big man, however, failed to collect more than five rebounds per game. Rebounds proved to be a problem for the Wildcats all season as they finished last in that category as well.
The Michigan Wolverines (4-12, 13-17) finished second to last in points, but were plagued all year by suspensions and injury. Sophomore guard Dion Harris led the team with 14.2 points per game, but junior guard Daniel Horton, the team's second leading scorer, was suspended after pleading guilty to domestic violence Feb. 14.
The team often missed the inside presence of one of its captains, junior forward/center Graham Brown (hernia surgery), as well as the highflying sophomore forward Roger Petway (ankle) and sophomore forward center Chris Hunter (shoulder).
The two teams matched up twice this season and split the series, with each team coming out victorious at home. In the first game, Jan. 12, Northwestern never led and Michigan won 71-61, with 24 points by Horton. It was also Brown's first game back, and the Wolverines were without Petway and Hunter.
In the second game, the Wildcats set the pace. Dashing out to a 24-2 run and paced by Vukusic's 26 points, Northwestern defeated the Wolverines in Illinois 69-53.
On Mar. 10, the two teams will match up at the United Center in Chicago, and most likely many of the Wildcat faithful will make the 30-minute journey. However, the Wildcats must start fast like they did in their second match-up with Michigan in order to be victorious.
If the game slows down, look for Michigan led by Petway, Hunter, Brown and sophomore forward/center Courtney Simms to dominate the paint on both sides of the ball. A victory would give either of these struggling clubs the boost of confidence they need in the second round and the offseason. A loss would simply be the culmination of a disastrous campaign.
-Sam Pepper
