To characterize this Northwestern men’s basketball team is difficult. Expectations were tempered for a squad that went a mere 3-17 in the Big Ten last year and drew one of the toughest slates in the best conference in America. Even if the Wildcats improved, it might not be obvious since they’d be playing ranked competition night in and night out.
Exactly halfway through the regular season, what NU (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten) is is less than obvious. The ‘Cats lack an identity, and that’s a problem. Going up against No. 5 Iowa (12-2, 6-1), which sports KenPom’s most efficient offense in the country, is a tough task with or without an identity.