Was it an excess of eggnog, a surfeit of studying, or just plain taking

a somewhat suspect opponent with a rookie coach for granted? Whatever

the reason, the same Northwestern team that soundly defeated an ACC team

and blew out a Big Twelve squad in its last two games barely escaped

with an exceedingly shaky win over a 1-7 MEAC team Saturday night at

Welsh-Ryan Arena, winning (or, more accurately, avoiding defeat) 58

Florida A&M, coached by '74 DePaul grad/Bill Frieder doppelganger

Mike Gillespie, and bursting with energy despite being in the middle

of a hellish 11-game road trip, stayed with the Cats wire-to-wire, but

never led. Both teams were wildly erratic from the floor;

the Rattlers shot 34%, and NU 32% - and a dreadful 26% during the second

half. The Cats obviously missed the presence of Vedran Vukusic,

who reinjured his right shoulder going after a loose ball during the first

half, though Drew Long filled the gap reasonably well, with 7 points

and 3 rebounds during the 14 minutes he played.

The top scorer for NU was the ever-reliable Jitim Young, with 23.

Tavaras Hardy chipped in with a double-double (1g points, 12 rebounds),

but was hampered by a cold hand from the free-throw line (7-14).

Michael Griffith and DeMarcus Wilkins led the Rattlers with 19 and

18 points respectively; like the Cats, A&M had only two players in

double figures.

Bill Carmody was stern-faced after the win, finding it "unsatisfying,"

and noting with chagrin that Northwestern has only one day to regroup before

its next game. He should talk; NU is playing 2-7 Liberty University (of

the Big South conference, and yes, Jerry Falwell's school) at home.

Florida A&M's next three games, on the other hand, are at 9-0

Miami of Florida, at 7-2 Alabama, and at Alabama - Birmingham.

I don't think Carmody would trade Liberty, Fordham, and the Ragin' Cajuns

of Louisiana - Lafayette for that daunting schedule.

On a happier note, the win, unsightly as it was, is the best season

start for the Cats since 1997. And here's an even cheerier thought:

with Ohio State's loss to Louisville Saturday afternoon, which removed

the now-6-1 Buckeyes from the ranks of the unbeaten, NU is now tied

A win is still a win, even if no style points are awarded.

All Materials Copyright 2001 by Roy

Lamberton, Purple Reign