Jewish people have a song entitled “Dayenu” that we sing as part of the Passover holiday. Loosely translated, Dayenu means “it would have been enough,” and the essential point of the song is to express gratefulness for all that God did when He lifted the Jewish people out of Egypt. As we make our way through the opening days of this sacred holiday, Dayenu seems an oddly appropriate concept for the current state of Northwestern basketball.
But every true Seder must begin with a story of past sufferings, and while the excruciating pain Wildcat fans have endured at Welsh-Ryan Arena is in no way comparable to the suffering of the Jews in Egypt, it’s still worth discussing.
In the past few years, NU has boasted several talented perimeter players that have put the school on the cusp of its first NCAA Tournament bid. Yet, in myriad games that could have put the final touch on their tournament résumé, the Cats fell a rebound short of victory.
At Michigan State, NU led 60-58 with seconds remaining in regulation. When Draymond Green missed a layup for the Spartans, it appeared victory was in the Cats’ grasp. Unfortunately, the ball was in Green’s grasp, as he got his own rebound, drew a foul and hit two free throws in a game Michigan State would win 71-67.
Coach Bill Carmody said mid-season that his big men needed to get better if his team were to be successful. In large part, they responded. Luka Mirkovic and Davide Curletti both improved towards the tail end of the season. But Mirkovic and Curletti aren’t enough in a conference that features dominant inside threats like Jared Sullinger and Trevor Mbakwe.
NU needs new blood in the paint, particularly after Curletti and Mirkovic graduate next year. Thankfully, Carmody and his recruiting staff have done some impressive work.
If NU had simply brought in Alex Olah, a touted 6-foot-11 post player from Indiana, it would have been enough. According to the Chicago Tribune, sources say Olah is a much better player than Mirkovic was at similar points in their careers. Dayenu.
If NU had simply brought in Milos Kostic, a 6-foot-7 perimeter player, it would have been enough. Although he plays on the wing, Kostic weighs in at 200 pounds,, hopefully marking an end to the days in which the Cats found themselves bullied in the paint. Dayenu.
If NU had simply brought in Mike Turner, a Chicago-area prospect, it would have been enough. Turner was named the 63rd-best power forward in his class by ESPN. Dayenu.
Now if NU can land John Cannon, a center from North Carolina who is apparently leaning towards NU, it would be more than enough. At 6-foot-11 and 225 pounds, Cannon is a force to be reckoned with. Think Kyle Rowley but talented. And unlike Olah and Kostic, who are both in their middle years of high school , Cannon would arrive next year. Dayenu, indeed.
Let’s put it this way. If the Cats land Cannon, it would be the best Passover gift this NU Jew could ask for.
Baseball beat writer Jonah Rosenblum is a Medill junior. He can be reached at [email protected]
