Lehigh Mountain Hawks vs. Northwestern Wildcats Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 4th 2024

Preview and Prediction

Northwestern begins the 2024-25 season with back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament, a first in the school's history. Additionally, they have retained 66% of their playing time from last season.

However, despite their recent success, the Wildcats were ranked 16th out of 18 teams in the Big Ten in a preseason media poll. This is largely due to the loss of their top scorer and leader, Boo Buie, who graduated.

Nevertheless, Northwestern is used to being underestimated and they see their first game of the season against Lehigh as an opportunity to prove their potential.

Head coach Chris Collins stated, "We have a group of guys who have a chip on their shoulder. We are a gritty, blue-collar team and program. We know our strengths and we are excited to compete. The preseason predictions don't matter, we get to go out there and play the games."

The Wildcats have a strong backcourt with senior Brooks Barnhizer, who was named to the preseason all-conference team, and graduate student Ty Berry both returning. Barnhizer averaged 14.6 points per game last season and Berry, who missed the last 11 games due to a knee injury, averaged 11.6 points per game.

Barnhizer suffered a foot injury during the preseason but is expected to be at full strength for their first game. Berry also stated that he is feeling good and is excited to be back on the court.

In addition to their returning players, Northwestern has added Jalen Leach through the transfer portal. Leach, who averaged 16.2 points per game at Fairfield last season, is expected to provide additional scoring for the Wildcats.

Lehigh also has a strong core of returning players, with six of their top nine scorers and 11 players overall coming back for the new season.

Senior guard Tyler Whitney-Sidney, who was named to the preseason All-Patriot League team, had a standout season last year with an average of 15.2 points per game and a career-best 47.5% shooting percentage. He also had nine games with at least 20 points.

Keith Higgins Jr., who averaged 12.6 points per game, was also named to the all-conference first team. The Mountain Hawks also have their starting point guard, Cam Gillus, returning for his sophomore season.

PREDICTION

Lehigh Mountain Hawks

Northwestern Wildcats

Lehigh Mountain Hawks vs. Northwestern Wildcats Recap NOV 4TH 2024

Zack Martinelli scored 17 of his game-high 26 points before halftime and Luke Hunger chipped in 15 points to lift host Northwestern to a 90-46 rout of Lehigh on Monday in Evanston, Ill.

Northwestern led by as many as 50 points in the season opener for both teams. Martinelli grabbed 10 rebounds to notch a double-double.

Jalen Leach scored 12 points for the Wildcats while Ty Berry and K.J. Windham had 10 apiece. Northwestern forced 12 Mountain Hawks turnovers and enjoyed a 45-26 edge on the glass.

Nasir Whitlock paced Lehigh with 11 points. Tyler Whitney-Sidney scored 10 points and Edouard Benoit grabbed eight boards.

The Mountain Hawks were limited to 32.1 percent shooting, including 2-for-17 from 3-point range.

Northwestern featured plenty of cutting and ball movement in its attack, which helped the Wildcats create lots of good looks from close range en route to a 51-15 halftime advantage.

Crisp passing along the perimeter paid dividends, too. Northwestern's 58.3 percent effort from the field before the break featured 7-for-15 accuracy from long range.

Martinelli, Angelo Ciaravino and Windham combined to connect on three treys over a 57-second span late in the first half to stretch the Wildcats' advantage to 37 points, 49-12.

Lehigh shot 5-for-26 (19.2) percent from the floor in the first half, including misses on each of its 12 attempts from deep. Whitney-Sidney sparked the Mountain Hawks with eight first-half points.

The Wildcats scored the first nine points of the game and held the Mountain Hawks scoreless until Whitney-Sidney converted a three-point play with 15:51 to go in the first half.

Lehigh, which returns six of its top nine scorers from last season, didn't reach double digits as a team until a Keith Higgins Jr. jumper with 6:28 left until the break.

Wildcats senior Brooks Barnhizer, a preseason all-Big Ten pick who averaged 14.6 points last season, missed the game with a foot injury.