HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team will begin its 2014-15 campaign with a pair of games in Big Ten Country this weekend. No. 3/4 Wisconsin lies ahead on Friday, Nov. 14, with tip scheduled for 9:00 p.m. (ET)/8:00 p.m. (CT) in Madison, Wisconsin. The Norse will then head to Lincoln, Nebraska, for a 2:00 p.m. (ET)/1:00 p.m. (CT) start against No. 21/21 Nebraska.
Northern Kentucky University Norse (0-0, 0-0 Atlantic Sun)
University of Wisconsin Badgers (0-0, 0-0 B1G)
Friday, Nov. 14 – 9:00 p.m. (ET)/8:00 p.m. (CT)
Kohl Center (17,230) in Madison, Wis.
TV: B1G Network with Brian Anderson (play-by-play) and Stephen Bardo (analysis)
Radio: The Project 100.7/106.3 with Jim Kelch (play-by-play) and Steve Moeller (analysis)
Northern Kentucky University Norse (0-0, 0-0 Atlantic Sun)
University of Nebraska Cornhuskers (0-0, 0-0 B1G)
Sunday, Nov. 16 – 2:00 p.m. (ET)/1:00 p.m. (CT)
Pinnacle Bank Arena (15,000) in Lincoln, Neb.
TV: BTN Plus with Hunter Cave (play-by-play) and Michael Dixon (analysis)
Radio: 55KRC (550 AM) with Jim Kelch (play-by-play) and Steve Moeller (analysis)
College Sports Madness Preseason Awards
In the online publication College Sports Madnessí preseason A-Sun outlook, three Norse garnered accolades. Jordan Jackson earned second team recognition, while teammates Jalen Billups and Tyler White each appeared on the third team. Jackson led NKU in scoring at 13.5 points per game, while White was second at 10.8 and Billups was third in scoring (9.6 ppg) and led the team in rebounding at 5.2 boards per contest.
Atlantic Sun Preseason Polls
In the preseason Atlantic Sun prognostications, Northern Kentucky was picked to finish fifth by both the head coaches and members of the media. NKU was picked 9th (coaches) and t-8th (media) last year and finished t-8th. In 2012-13, Northern Kentuckyís first season as a DI program, the Norse were selected to finish dead last (10th) in both polls. Instead, NKU posted a 9-9 mark and finished fifth.
Return of the Norse
Northern Kentucky returns all but one player from last yearís team, which means nearly all of the teamís production returns for this season. This yearís roster features 13 of the 14 members of the 2013-14 Norse squad. Each of the top six scorers from a season ago return, including Jordan Jackson (13.5 ppg), Tyler White (10.8 ppg), Jalen Billups (9.6 ppg), Todd Johnson (8.7 ppg), Daniel Camps (6.1 ppg) and Cole Murray (5.7 ppg). In addition, 94.1 percent (5,718-of-6,075) of the minutes played, 93.8 percent (1,917-of-2,044) of points scored, 96.3 percent (905-of-940) of rebounds and 97.3 percent (325-of-334) of the teamís assists return for the 2014-15 season.
Scouting No. 3/4 Wisconsin
Wisconsin enjoys its preseason rankings after returning 81.9 percent of both its scoring and minutes played from a team that reached the Final Four last season. The Badgers finished the 2013-14 season with 30-8 mark, including a 12-6 league record. Senior Frank Kaminsky was a first-team All-Big Ten and NCAA West Regional MOP honoree a year ago. Kaminsky, who averaged 13.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game last year, is joined by junior Sam Dekker (12.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg) in the front court and Traevon Jackson (10.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and Josh Gasser (8.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg) in the backcourt. Bo Ryan is entering his 31st season as head coach, 14th at UW, and holds a 704-224 career record.
Scouting No. 21/21 Nebraska
The Huskers are buoyed by preseason all-american Terran Petteway. Petteway, who averaged 18.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game last season, was named preseason second-team all-american by The Sporting News and preseason all-america honorable mention by the Associated Press. Nebraska finished the 2013-14 campaign with a 19-13 mark and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to No. 6-seed Baylor,74-60, in the West Regional. Nebreaska defeated NKUís fellow A-Sun member Florida Gulf Coast, 79-55, in the opening game of the season last year. Head coach Tim Miles earned national coach of the year, after winning the 2014 Jim Phelan Award, which is presented by CollegeInsider.com.
