John Shurna was Northwestern's leading scorer last season. (Icon SMI)

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By Ryan Feldman
rfeldman@thehoopsreport.com

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Northwestern Wildcats
Last Season: 20-14 (7-11)
Key Losses: Kevin Coble, Jeremy Nash
Head Coach: Bill Carmody

Projected Starting Lineup
PG: Michael Thompson 5-10 Sr.
SG: Alex Marcotullio 6-3 So.
SF: Drew Crawford 6-5 So.
PF: John Shurna 6-8 Jr.
C: Luka Mirkovic 6-11 Jr.
Key Reserves: Jershon Cobb 6-4 Fr. SG, Davide Curletti 6-9 So. PF, Jeff Ryan 6-6 Sr. SF

With the recent news that Kevin Coble will not play basketball in his final year of eligibility at Northwestern, the Wildcats' hopes of reaching their first ever NCAA tournament have severely been lowered. But that doesn't mean it can't happen. Northwestern has come close the past two seasons, including coming close last season without Coble, who was sitting out with a season-ending injury.

But losing Coble isn't so much of a big deal since Shurna evolved last year as a star for the Wildcats. The 6-foot-8 slender junior forward averaged 18.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game last season after averaging only 7.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per game as a freshman. He shot over 35 percent from 3-point range last season, made six 3-pointers twice, and scored 31 points twice.

Michael Thompson is the floor leader for the Wildcats. The 5-foot-10 senior point guard averaged 14.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last year. He shot 41 percent from 3-point range. Thompson is a very underrated player in the Big Ten. He can score at the rim, knock down outside shots, or run the offense and set up his teammates.

Drew Crawford, a 6-foot-5 wing, averaged 10 points and 4.3 rebounds per game as a freshman last season, so he should take a big step up as a sophomore.

Luka Mirkovic is a very important player for Northwestern, a team that doesn't have a lot of depth in the post. Mirkovic is a 6-foot-11 junior who averaged 7.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game last season. He is very nimble around the basket and often finds a way to get his hands on the ball for tip-ins. He also can knock down mid-range jumpers, so he is dangerous in the pick-and-roll game. It's very important for Mirkovic to stay out of foul trouble because if he isn't in the game the 'Cats will really struggle in the paint and on the boards, especially against bigger Big Ten teams like Ohio State and Purdue.

The fifth starter is up in the air, but the most likely choice would be Alex Marcotullio, a 6-foot-3 sophomore guard who averaged 4.8 points in 14 minutes per game last season.

Another option is 6-foot-4 freshman shooting guard Jershon Cobb, who will give the Wildcats some athleticism and length on the perimeter. Cobb is good at finishing near the basket but needs to gain consistency on his outside shot.

Then, there's Jeff Ryan, a 6-foot-6 wing who went down with a season-ending injury 14 minutes into the first game of last season. Now, as a fifth-year senior, he will provide some help to Shurna and Crawford on the wings and possibly even step into the starting lineup.

When Northwestern lost Coble and Ryan last season, the odds were against the Wildcats to have a successful season. But guys like Shurna and Thompson stepped up and the 'Cats nearly made the NCAA tournament. Even with Coble not returning this season, Northwestern now has the confidence and experience to take that next step and reach its first ever NCAA tournament.

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