Craig Moore News

Northwestern looks to hand its third consecutive opponent its first loss of the season Tuesday as it travels to undefeated North Carolina State to participate in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

Alex Marcotullio nailed three 3-pointers in Sunday's win over Tennessee State, including the go-ahead basket with just over two minutes remaining.

Michael Thompson refused to let Northwestern lose. The junior point guard scored a career-high 31 points including 13 of the team's last 16 as the Wildcats finished the game on a 16-1 run to get past Tennessee State 69-62 Sunday afternoon at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

On Friday afternoon, University President Morton O. Schapiro told The Daily he knew the importance of the nonconference season.

Game one of the 2009-2010 Northwestern men's basketball season is in the books, and I'm here to tell you this will be unlike any season you've witnessed during the Bill Carmody era.

According to a Chicago Tribune report , star Northwestern forward Kevin Coble injured his foot in practice on Tuesday.

File this under the header of "Cruel twist." One day before embarking on what many expect to be its finest basketball season in school history, Northwestern is dealing with a potentially devastating injury to All-Big Ten forward Kevin Coble.

When Kevin Coble committed to Northwestern four years ago, he knew what he was getting into.

Kevin Coble's welcome-to-the- NBA moment came last summer while he scrimmaged with pros such as Will Bynum, the 6-foot former Crane High School and Georgia Tech star.

The buzz among students at Northwestern this fall is not the result of a game of quarters or a visit to the fraternities on North Campus.

Wea re 15 minutes into Northwesterna s first official practice. The fellas are stretching and sprinting.

The expectations for Northwestern are relatively high this year. After a season where the Wildcats finished 17-14 and qualified for the NIT, some think this might be the team that makes NU's first trip to the NCAA tournament.

Craig Moore During his final season at Northwestern, Moore became the school's career leader in 3-pointers, ranking fourth in Big Ten history with 320 career treys.

The most dubious streak in college basketball nearly ended last season. Perhaps this is the season Northwestern - the only team from the six major conferences never to earn an NCAA tournament bid - finally goes dancing.

The most dubious streak in college basketball nearly ended last season. Perhaps this is the season Northwestern - the only team from the six major conferences never to earn an NCAA tournament bid - finally goes dancing.

The most dubious streak in college basketball nearly ended last season. Perhaps this is the season Northwestern - the only team from the six major conferences never to earn an NCAA tournament bid - finally goes dancing.

THE GOOD NEWS: Northwestern retains 80 percent of its starters, 76 percent of its scoring and 86 of its rebounding from a 17-14 team.

Do not let Drew Crawford's smooth jumper or calm demeanor on the basketball court fool you.