The summer may be just getting started but the Northwestern sports news cycle is still spinning. Zach begins by celebrating Brooks Barnhizer being the first Wildcat since 1999 to be selected in the NBA draft, talking about the achievement for both player and program and how Barnhizer might carve out a role with the defending NBA champs (2:59). He then talks about the sudden transfer addition of Gavin Frakes and how the move might shake up the quarterback room (15:35). Finally, he analyzes the recent pickups for the women's lacrosse team as Kelly Amonte Hiller pulled off one of the most impressive transfer hauls in the sport's history (27:18).

From buzzer beaters to NCAA records to national championships, Zach and Northwestern Wildcats On SI lead writer Gavin Dorsey debate the five best moments of the year in Northwestern sports.

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For the fifth straight year, Northwestern lacrosse is headed back to the Final Four after getting past Michigan and Penn in the team's opening NCAA tournament matchups. Broadcaster Noah Coffman joins Zach on the show to discuss Madison Taylor breaking the single-season goals record and what went well in the second-round game against Michigan (3:40). Then, they pivot to talking about the third-quarter struggles for the 'Cats against Penn and why such a lapse will come back to bite the team against Boston College (15:01). Next, the pair previews the Final Four matchups against the defending champion Eagles and how Northwestern will try to limit BC's star attack trio, led by player of the year candidate Rachel Clark (27:59). Finally, they talk about NU softball scratching its way into the NCAA tournament and what the 'Cats chances might be in the Clemson regional (44:49).

We're back! Northwestern women's lacrosse is set to begin play in the NCAA tournament and Noah Coffman joins Zach to talk about this year's team. They begin by talking about how head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller was able to rebuild the roster after the departure of Izzy Scane and others (2:08). Then, they discuss the leap Madison Taylor has taken to put together one of the best statistical seasons in Wildcats' history (12:44). The pair continues by going over who else will need to step up outside of Taylor (18:40) before analyzing the perception and performance of transfer goalkeeper Delaney Sweitzer (21:11). Finally, they dissect the immediate path ahead for Northwestern, focusing on potential Big Ten rematches against Michigan and Maryland (28:14).

With the news that Chris Collins is close to reaching a deal on an extension to stay at Northwestern, Zach is joined by Gavin Dorsey of Northwestern Wildcats On SI to discuss the rumors surrounding the men's basketball head coach. The pair give their thoughts on the legitimacy of the idea that Collins would have left NU after this year (4:21) before dissecting how important a commitment to NIL resources and enrollment procedure may have been in the head coach's extension (11:25). They then pivot to talk about how the 'Cats should approaching the transfer portal this offseason (19:35), going over some of the reported options and how they might fit on the roster. Finally, they dissect which players need to take a leap for Northwestern to be successful (35:55) and debate if Collins needs to take a different approach with his rotations early in the season (42:51).

Northwestern's heroic comeback attempt at home against UCLA came up just short as a major missed call in the closing seconds didn't go the 'Cats way... again. Wildcat Report's Matt Shelton joins the show to talk about the grit of the senior class, particularly Ty Berry and Matt Nicholson, even with UCLA amassing a double-digit advantage (1:45). Then, they dive into the the end-of-game sequence that capped NU's 13–0 run, including the no-call on Nick Martinelli, KJ Windham's flagrant foul and the general officiating woes that have largely gone against the Wildcats this season (17:55). Finally, they talk briefly about their hopes and expectations for Northwestern should the 'Cats make the Big Ten tournament (30:57).

After wins by Northwestern men's basketball and Northwestern lacrosse on Tuesday, Zach welcomes on Noah Coffman for a closer look at both programs. They begin by talking about the resilient basketball team, going over the recent two-game win streak on the road and the job Chris Collins has done in keeping the team engaged and playing hard (:52). The pair also goes over the improvement from players like KJ Windham in recent weeks and the importance of development for the younger players on the roster (7:55). Next, they discuss the chances of Northwestern making the Big Ten tournament with three games remaining (18:10) before going over Nick Martinelli's career game against Minnesota and his case to make the All-Big Ten first team this season (22:05). Zach and Noah then pivot to discuss Northwestern lacrosse's win over Syracuse and how that differed from the team's early-season loss to Boston College (34:26). They go over the strides Madison Taylor has taken as a leader (40:49) and end by breaking down the 'Cats return to form on defense (45:15).

After two losses out on the West Coast, Northwestern basketball's hopes of an NCAA tournament have essentially been dashed and Zach returns to lay out how it all went wrong this season. He begins by talking about the Jalen Leach season-ending injury and it’s impact on the game against Washington (2:28). He also explains his frustration with Chris Collins getting ejected based on the situation the young and inexperienced team found itself in (8:44). Next, he talks about the familiar slow start against Oregon and what Northwestern should prioritize and aim for in the final six games of the season (13:28). Finally, he spends his time breaking down every instance of misfortunate and bad luck that the Wildcats have had thrown their way during the 2024–25 season, resulting in the severely disappointing year (21:36).

Chris Collins announced that Brooks Barnhizer will not play for the remainder of the 2024–25 season after missing Saturday's game against Wisconsin and Zach reflects on the jarring news. He begins by discussing how the injury was revealed and how it wasn't entirely surprising, but it was abrupt (3:35). Then, he does his best to sum up the impact that Barnhizer made on Northwestern basketball during his four years in Evanston (9:25). Next, he pivots to discussing how the Wildcats fought against the Badgers on Saturday, but how a halftime adjustment and five-minute sequence led to the Wisconsin win (19:16). However, he ends the show by talking about how Saturday's game can be a blueprint for the final month of the regular season (29:43).

Northwestern basketball had another opportunity to win on the road against a top opponent pass by this weekend against Michigan. Zach dives into how the game didn't go in the Wildcats' favor (1:47), before dissecting Jalen Leach's controversial ejection and subsequently disjointed explanation from the Big Ten (11:05). Then, he goes over the difficult afternoons for Brooks Barnhizer and Nick Martinelli, pointing to why that was the case (19:46). Next, Zach pivots to discussing the positives from the Maryland game, including Ty Berry's spark off the bench and a more complete game from Northwestern's stars (27:50).