Ugly, ugly win over Michigan
This is what you would call a microcosm.
Northwestern (15-15) did all it could in its power to blow a game against Michigan with poor free-throw shooting (10-for-19) and terrible three-point shooting (4-of-18), but managed to defeat Michigan, 58-56. The Wildcats face top-ranked Illinois at 11 a.m. CT Friday.
Walk-on Michael Jenkins gave a convincing audition for a scholarship next year with eight points, seven assists and five steals.
"He was getting his hands on everything," Carmody said about Jenkins. "He was tying things up everywhere. He was sensational."
The free-throw shooting remained abysmal as the Cats made only 10-of-19 on the game.
"I don't have an answer," Carmody said after the game. "If there was an answer, by now, we would know. By luck, we would have hit on it."
Next up for the Cats is Illinois, who beat Northwestern by 36 in late February.
"I talked to (Michigan coach) Tom Amaker before the game and said, 'That's the prize,' " Carmody said. "You want to play the best. We're competitors and you want a shot at them. They sort of humbled us last time."