Northwestern 2009-2010 Basketball Betting Prediction, Odds, Lines,

With the College Basketball 2009-2010 Season just around the corner, we are providing season previews & predictions for all NCAA basketball teams to give you the betting edge this year. Follow the best College Basketball Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2009-2010 basketball season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Basketball in our recommend online sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2009 NCAA Basketball Season Previews here.

Northwestern 2008-2009 Record: 17-14, 8-10

Northwestern 2008-2009 Post Season: NIT

Northwestern Coach: Bill Carmody (120-149 at Northwestern, 212-174 overall)

Northwestern Projected Starters:

• Michael Thompson, Junior, Guard, 9.9 points per game
• Jeremy Nash, Senior, Guard, 3.5 points per game
• Kevin Coble, Senior, Forward, 15.5 points per game
• John Shurna, Sophomore, Forward, 7.3 points per game
• Kyle Rowley, Sophomore, Center, 3.6 points per game

Northwestern Player to Watch: Kevin Coble

Northwestern Key Losses: G Craig Moore

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2009-2010 Northwestern Season Preview

The Wildcats jumped just two places in the Big Ten standings last season, but their actual improvement deserved to be categorized as nothing less than a quantum leap.

After earning just one Big Ten win in 2007-08, Northwestern posted an 8-10 mark last winter that featured remarkable road victories at Michigan State and Purdue. The Wildcats’ strong late run raised legitimate speculation that Bill Carmody would finally deliver the school’s first NCAA Tournament berth.

Alas, Northwestern lost its final two games and settled for the program’s first NIT bid in Carmody’s nine-year tenure. Though the Wildcats lose third-team All-Big Ten guard Craig Moore from a squad that tied the school record for wins, there’s a sense that the best is yet to come.

While senior forward Kevin Coble and junior point guard Michael ‘Juice’ Thompson are the heart of this squad, sophomore forward John Shurna and freshman guard Drew Crawford highlight the Wildcats’ strong talent base in their underclassmen.

Northwestern Backcourt

Thompson took over Northwestern’s point guard job the moment he signed his letter of intent. The diminutive Chicago product has started all 61 games and averaged more than 34 minutes per night while putting up career averages that aren’t dissimilar to Michigan Stare’s Kalin Lucas.

While no one is claiming Thompson is the equal of the Big Ten’s reigning Player of the Year, it’s fair to say Thompson hasn’t received enough acclaim for his play.

After running with team leader Craig Moore in the backcourt in his first two years, Thompson now becomes a mentor to Crawford. The Naperville, III., product is the son of NBA referee Dan Crawford, and has the combination of shooting, passing and smarts that fits the Princeton-style offense perfectly.

Senior Jeremy Nash developed into an invaluable member of NU’s rotation during Big Ten play with his frenetic defensive style and respectable shot. Senior Jeff Ryan can carve out a role with his solid ballhandling and occasional rebounding prowess, while sophomore Nick Fruendt will help once his defensive ability comes closer to his team-best shooting eye. Freshman Alex Marcorullio’s 3-point prowess could make him the team’s fourth guard.

Northwestern Frontcourt

For years, the post has been where the Wildcats have been particularly overwhelmed. That trend started to change last year and figures to keep improving with senior Kevin Coble leading an emerging sophomore group that features Shurna, Luka Mirkovic and Kyle Rowley.

Coble, a second-team All-Big Ten pick who’s one of the league’s most efficient offensive players, blitzed the NCAA runner-up for 31 points when the Wildcats won at East Lansing. When defenses focused on him, Coble handed our six or more assists four times.

He’ll have more opportunities to share with Shurna, the fast-rising sophomore who earned a spot on USA Basketball’s gold medal winning U-19 team. The versatile forward contributed six points and nearly four rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game.

Mirkovic and Rowley will share the pivot again. Mirkovic, who has the skill set to be a perfect center in the Princeton system, fought off injuries and illness to become a crucial contributor down the stretch, while Rowley improved his game during the offseason as a member of Trinidad and Tobago’s national ream.

2009-2010 Northwestern Predictions

There’s little question the Wildcats will be improved this season. But in a year when nearly all of the Big Ten’s teams will be better, too, can they take one more quantum leap and claim that first NCAA spot? The answer could rest on the shoulders of Crawford, Mirkovic and Rowley.

Northwestern Finish in the Big Ten: 8th
Northwestern Projected Post-season Tournament: NIT

Northwestern Betting Odds

Northwestern Odds to Win 2010 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament: +20000
Northwestern Odds to Win the Big Ten: +2000

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