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College basketball bubble watch: Week 7

By Nathaniel Reeves

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 19: Northwestern Men's Basketball Head Coach Chris Collins speaks at the 2017 Big Ten Basketball Media Day at Madison Square Garden on October 19, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 19: Northwestern Men's Basketball Head Coach Chris Collins speaks at the 2017 Big Ten Basketball Media Day at Madison Square Garden on October 19, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 16: Northwestern Wildcats guard Scottie Lindsey (20) drives the ball past DePaul Blue Demons forward Tre’Darius McCallum (10) during the game between the DePaul Blue Demons and the Northwestern Wildcats on December 16, 2017 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 16: Northwestern Wildcats guard Scottie Lindsey (20) drives the ball past DePaul Blue Demons forward Tre’Darius McCallum (10) during the game between the DePaul Blue Demons and the Northwestern Wildcats on December 16, 2017 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Northwestern Wildcats

The Wildcats have been one of the most disappointing teams in college basketball so far, but have a chance to redeem their nonconference resume in a crucial showdown on Friday night in Norman.

One year after qualifying for the first NCAA Tournament in program history, the Wildcats had even higher expectations with a ton of returning talent and the preseason No. 20 ranking in the AP Poll. Things have not gone according to plan for Chris Collins, as Northwestern has faltered during a 9-4 start to fall on the wrong side of the cut line entering the new year.

While none of Northwestern’s four losses outside of an ugly 52-51 defeat against Georgia Tech are particularly bad, it now has little margin for error in Big Ten play. The Wildcats will close out their nonconference slate with a huge opportunity to boost their resume with a road game against Trae Young and No. 17 Oklahoma on Friday night.

Next: 5 college basketball games to watch in week 7

Nearly every major piece from last year’s roster returned to give the Wildcats plenty of hope for the 2017-18 season, but Northwestern’s offense has struggled to shoot the ball early in this season. There’s still enough talent for Northwestern to put together a run through the Big Ten, with Scottie Lindsey, Vic Law, Bryant McIntosh and Derek Pardon all averaging in double figures.

While nobody has been able to stop Young and the Sooners recently, a road upset over a ranked team could provide a major confidence boost ahead of Big Ten play.

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