In 99 years of Northwestern basketball, 23 men have joined the Wildcats’ 1,000-point club. Winston Blake stands to become the 24th when NU (8-10, 0-7 Big Ten) hosts Indiana at 8 p.m. in Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Blake’s 14 points Saturday against Ohio State brought the senior’s career total to 997.
“It’s an elite club,” Blake said. “It’s an honor to be included with the people that came before.”
Blake missed three desperation 3-pointers that would have elevated him into the club at the end of the Cats’ 65-52 loss to the Buckeyes.
But the forward said he was glad to have the opportunity to reach the mark at home.
“This is where all the people come out,” Blake said. “Of course it’s good to do it where those people can see you.”
NU coach Bill Carmody had discussed starting Blake tonight if guard Jitim Young’s injured finger kept him out, but Blake will make his push toward the NU record book coming off the bench.
Carmody said Young looked good in practice Monday and will start. Young injured the middle finger on his left hand Saturday against Ohio State when he hit an opponent swiping for a defensive rebound.
X-rays revealed a slight chip at the base of the finger bone, and the junior guard will wear a simple splint against Indiana.
Young was concerned with how the injury would affect his rebounding, but he said he’s been able to make his usual moves with the swollen finger.
“That’s what I love about Jitim,” Blake said. “He could have his whole hand hacked off and still be in there battling for rebounds.”
Aside from Blake’s potential celebration, tonight’s contest represents a rematch of the Cats’ Jan. 15 loss to the Hoosiers (14-6, 4-3).
Indiana punished NU in Assembly Hall, 71-57, without its leading scorer, freshman Bracey Wright, who sat out with minor back pain. The Hoosiers got off to an 11-0 start and never looked back.
“Their good guys got open shots,” Carmody said. “We concentrated on the inside and did a good job there, but we were drought busters for Hornsby.”
Indiana guard Kyle Hornsby was coming off a 0-for-9 performance, but against NU he combined with Tom Coverdale to drain 11 treys.
The second of Coverdale’s six 3-pointers against the Cats moved him past the 1,000- point mark. He entered that game with 996 points.
Along with Coverdale, another 1,000-point player will be on hand for Blake’s attempt at the milestone. Evan Eschmeyer, the Cats’ No. 2 all-time leading scorer and current Dallas Mavericks center, will be the judge of student slam-dunk competition during halftime.
Blake’s teammates are hopeful he can join the exclusive club en route to NU’s first Big Ten win of the season.
“It’s a great accomplishment,” Young said. “It shows you’ve been here and done your job for Northwestern.
“Hopefully he can end his college career as a winner and that’s what we’ll try and start here tonight.”
NU (8-10, 0-7 Big Ten) vs. Indiana (14-6, 4-3)
8 p.m. tonight
Welsh-Ryan Arena
Player to watch: Mohamed Hachad — the NU freshman is making his first start at home.
