Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

34° Evanston, IL
Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

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NU takes the fifth in Sunday tuneup

Northwestern men’s basketball coach Bill Carmody is bringing back four starters from last year – four starters from a team that went 11-19.

Outside of the those first four, there aren’t too many obvious answers right now for Carmody. But the Wildcats will get their first chance at solving some of their most pressing concerns at 1 p.m. Sunday when they take on the International Select All-Stars.

The game first test against outside competition this season, Carmody’s second in Evanston.

The All-Stars are international in name only — the team features former Big Ten players like Purdue alum Carson Cunningham.

Perhaps the most intriguing dilemma for the Cats this season is the search for a fifth starter. Guards Jitim Young and Collier Drayton are locked in, as are frontcourt veterans Winston Blake and Tavaras Hardy.

Carmody has three options for a fifth: He can go with 6-foot-11 center Aaron Jennings, who started one game last season. Or 6-foot-6 swingman Jason Burke, perhaps the most versatile player on the team. He can also go with freshman Vedran Vukusic, a 6-foot-8 Croatian.

And at least for Sunday, he’s decided to go with Vukusic, adding another forward to his lineup.

“He gives us a little size, and he’s ahead of the other two (freshmen),” said Carmody, referring to Vukusic’s edge over fellow newcomers Thomas Soltau and Davor Duvancic.

Said Blake: “I kind of expected it from the first few times I played pickup with him. He’s real skillful. He plays real hard.”

But that doesn’t mean Carmody isn’t looking for more help.

“We have seven guys who are going to play a lot,” Carmody said. “Who’s going to be eight or nine? That’s what we have to figure out.”

The Cats said their main focus on Sunday is to play well on offense. Still, for a program that has so far to go, even a win that doesn’t count can help.

“Winning isn’t the most important thing,” Carmody said, “but when you only won 11 games last year, I think we need to get some wins.”

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Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881
NU takes the fifth in Sunday tuneup