Upon becoming Northwestern’s head coach in June, Joe McKeown’s first priority was to change the program’s losing culture. Seven conference wins during the previous coach’s four-year tenure and 20 double-digit losses the season before McKeown’s arrival suggested that rebuilding the Wildcats would not be easy.
In nine months, it seems like McKeown has already accomplished that goal.
Rather than throwing in the towel when they went into intermission having scored only 12 points, the Cats battled back to make it a one-possession game with slightly more than 10 minutes remaining, giving themselves a chance at victory.
Wisconsin ultimately pulled out a 60-51 on Thursday, meaning that this NU season ended like the eight before it: A first-round exit in the Big Ten tournament and 20 or more losses.
But those details are not indicative of the team’s progress.
“Over this year, even throughout the Big Ten season, it’s kind of hard to see with our record but anyone who watched any of our games could see the improvement,” junior forward Kristin Cartwright said. “We were able to compete in every game we played.”
Early in the season, the Cats struggled to close out games, including agonizing last-second losses to Clemson and Marquette in non-conference play.
NU had the edge at halftime 16 times but won just six of those contests.
“I look back, and I think we left five or six games on the table,” McKeown said. “Some of these games that we got beat in December and maybe November, I wish we could’ve had some more momentum.”
The coaching staff remained positive, even during the least encouraging of times. Thursday’s game was no exception – down 19-10 in the first half, assistant coach Ali Jaques assured the team during a timeout, “Come on, you’ve got this.” McKeown admitted afterwards that he had packed enough clothes for five days, which would have lasted through the championship game.
As the year progressed, NU became more comfortable playing while ahead. Against Minnesota last Monday, McKeown’s squad grabbed the lead three minutes into the game and never gave it back.
A major factor in the Cats’ attitude adjustment has been the arrival of freshmen Maggie Mocchi and Brittany Orban, both of whom played for successful high school programs. They combined to lead the team in scoring seven times in the last 13 games, and Orban alone topped NU in points in four of the final six contests.
“I was disappointed Brittany Orban didn’t get some recognition on the All-Freshman team in the Big Ten,” McKeown said. “She had a great a year. From day one, she didn’t act like a freshman – I probably should’ve named her a captain at Christmas.”
The more experienced players also made strides as they got used to McKeown’s style.
Coming off an ACL injury that sidelined her all of last season, Cartwright ended the season on a high note, shooting 51.4 percent in her last four games. McKeown said junior point guard Jenny Eckhart showed significant improvement and sophomore center Amy Jaeschke learned how to handle double teams.
Opposing teams are starting to notice.
“You can’t relax on that team, and the moment you do, that’s when they start to catch you,” Wisconsin junior guard Rae Lin D’Alie said. “They’re much different from when I came in here as a freshman.”
McKeown might have said that he was not too concerned with wins and losses in the short run, but it was easier said than done. He went to the NCAA tournament in 17 of his first 22 seasons with New Mexico State and George Washington, winning at least 20 games in all but three of them.
“I’ve never had a losing season before so I can’t say this was easy,” McKeown said. “I really don’t like going home today. But next year, I’m planning on staying a lot longer.”
