Game 2: Texas A&M-CC @ Northwestern

Here’s the cliff notes version on some key matchups to look for tonight…

The Matchup: Texas A&M Corpus-Christi (1-1) @ Northwestern (1-0)

Location: Welsh-Ryan Arena (Evanston, IL.)

TV: None
Webcast: http://www.bigtennetwork.com/

Fun Fact: Texas A&M-CC has never beaten a Big Ten team (Note: this fact is more fun for NU fans than those of the Islanders).

Three Key Matchups

Bill Carmody vs Perry Clark

Islanders boss Perry Clark has a great deal of coaching experience with stops as the head man at both Tulsa and Miami. In these stops, Clark gained a reputation as a great recruiter and mediocre game coach. Bill Carmody, entering his eighth year in Evanston, has spent much his career tagged with the exact opposite reputation. With the addition of a highly rated five men freshmen class, Coach Carmody is hoping this is the year he loses that negative reputation. For Coach Clark, a road win at a Big Ten school with his undermanned team could be a significant step back towards the big time.

John Shurna vs Demond Watt

Watt and Shurna are similarly sized and both hail from the Chicago area. Considering the fact the Wildcats almost signed Watt, it will be interesting to compare him to Shurna. Although Shurna is a year younger, I assume part of the reason for passing on Watt was the fact Coach Hardy knew he had a good chance of brining John into the Wildcat fold. It is interesting to note that after signing Shurna, Bill Carmody said the ‘Cats had been recruiting the Glenbard West product since his sophomore year of high school. I think NU fans will be pleased those efforts paid off.

Craig Moore vs The Record Book

Moore is one three pointer away from breaking the NU career record for three pointers. If he hits it on his first shot I expect to Craig to have a huge day. If he misses his first shot, well, then I’m very worried. Craig Moore seems to be by far the most emotional player on the NU roster. At times this is a great advantage as it seems to help in his leadership skills, however, at other times it seems to hurt as one bad play sometimes becomes two and three and four bad plays. I do think Moore has gotten better at overcoming failure and as Coach Fitz might say, “Pressing on” but I’d still prefer this record book issue be resolved as quickly as possible. Hopefully, with about 19:40 left on the first half clock.

Predication: I don’t think NU can shoot as well as they did Sunday, however, I do think they can defend just as good. I say NU, 71 Texas A&M-CC, 55.


Around the Internet…
I just want to give a shout out to rooftopreport.com a Cubs blog which has announced it will have some NU content in the future.

Upcoming on Welsh-Ryan Ramblings…
Recap of the Corpus Christi game
A look at the various ways to keep track of the game at Brown. This could get really tough from the Ryan Field parking lot.