After seven months and 21 days, Northwestern men’s basketball is *finally* back in regular-season play tonight, but holy smokes, they are limping into it. The Wildcats dropped both their exhibition games in October, first a 70-64 loss at Illinois State, then a brutal 94-59 beatdown against No. 18 Iowa State. Tonight’s matchup against Binghamton at Welsh-Ryan Arena, kicking off at 7 p.m. CT, is about more than just starting the season; it’s about finding *any* kind of confidence.
Can the Wildcats Find Their Rhythm?
Let’s be real: those exhibition losses were tough to watch, especially that Iowa State game. You never want to start the year with that kind of L. Northwestern is clearly looking to reset and regain some much-needed confidence, and this game against Binghamton is the first step in a planned series against non-Power Five teams. They need to show something tonight, or this season could get rough real fast. They absolutely *have* to get off the schneid here.
Tuning In and Injury Watch
If you’re tuning in tonight, you can catch the game on B1G+ or listen on WGN Radio 720. For those looking at the numbers, Northwestern is favored by a hefty -20.5 points, with the over/under set at 145.5. So the oddsmakers expect a big bounce-back, but expectations haven’t exactly been met so far.
On the injury front, Northwestern is dealing with a few key guys out: Jayden Hodge is sidelined with a knee injury, and Luke McEldon is away from the team. Colin Smith is also listed as questionable with an ankle issue, so that’s something to keep an eye on. Binghamton, on the other hand, hasn’t reported any long-term injuries or played any exhibition games, so their health status is a big fat N/A.
Tonight’s game is more than just a season opener for Northwestern; it’s a chance to reset, get some wins under their belt, and build that confidence they so clearly need. Can they finally put those exhibition losses behind them and show what they’re really made of? We’re about to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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