Without senior forward Kevin Coble, people were left wondering where Northwestern would get its points.

Jeremy Nash answered the call, stepping up in a big way.

The senior guard had a previous career high of 12 points in Feb. 2008, but eclipsed that total with a 20-point outburst in the Wildcats’ 77-55 win.

His career day in the scoring column was bolstered by his starting role in the absence of Coble. He hadn’t started since a 2008 Big Ten tournament game against Minnesota, which Nash and coach Bill Carmody couldn’t remember.

“It was a first since, I don’t know how long, but whatever coach needs me to do and the team needs me to do,” Nash said. “If it’s starting or if it’s coming off the bench, I don’t mind, as long as we get the W in the end.”

Nash came off the bench and provided an energy boost last season, often heading the 1-3-1 zone. Despite not starting, he finished 13th in the Big Ten in steals per game.

“He sort of had a breakout year last year,” Carmody said. “He was a little bit of a dilettante for his first couple years. He dabbled in it. Last year, he started playing a little harder, and this spring and summer he worked on his game.”

For those unfamiliar with the word “dilettante,” it means a person who does something for amusement, especially in a superficial way.

Nash’s perspective on his performance during his first two years was different. He said he was always serious; it was just a matter of him finding his place on the team as a young player.

“Getting injured with my groin and then my back, it took a toll on me,” Nash said. “I wanted to do more, but at the same time I didn’t know what my role was. I just thought last year to come out with energy.”

If Nash knew what his responsibilities were heading into this season, they changed when Coble went down. Nash said the coaches were telling him he had to be more aggressive and assert himself on offense.

He took those words to heart, as his determination was palpable. Though only connecting on two of his seven 3-point attempts, he constantly slashed to the basket, drawing fouls in the process. He scored 10 of his 20 points from the free throw line, and was a major reason why the Cats got into the bonus early and shot 48 free throws.

“If you work at something, usually you get pretty good at it,” Carmody said of Nash’s offense. “He’s aggressive and he has to do that because he is a senior and he’s got to show these guys (how it’s done).”

Nash played 37 minutes, compiling four rebounds, three assists, four steals and a crowd-energizing block to go with his 20 points. Carmody said he thought about starting Nash last season and “probably should have done it last year if tonight is any indication.”

Coming into the game, Carmody debated between starting Nash or junior Ivan Peljusic. After the way Nash played on both sides of the ball, he would seem to have earned the starting role for good.

Nash is not just filling the scoring void left by Coble, but also becoming a senior leader on and off the court.

“With Kevin going down, I wanted to take the leadership role and pick my team up and let them know that we have to move on no matter what,” Nash said. “We’re still a team, and we’re still trying to make the NCAA Tournament.”[email protected]