Bleav in Northwestern

College football has arrived! Northwestern is set to play Tulane to kick off the 2025 season, so it’s time to make some predictions. Gavin Dorsey, lead writer for Northwestern Wildcats on SI, joins Zach on the show to make a number of projections about the upcoming year, beginning with how much pressure head coach David Braun and offensive coordinator Zach Lujan should feel coming into Week 1 (2:45). Then, they pivot to talking about the roster, naming their MVPs and x-factors on both offense and defense, while touching on what units might give the ‘Cats problems this season (25:38). Finally, the pair makes definitive predictions for Northwestern’s final record and delves into the pecking order of the Big Ten at large before picking conference champions (54:57).

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Zach opens up the mailbag for a series of questions about Northwestern football’s outlook during the 2025 season, from the hope Preston Stone brings to the offense to the biggest pain point for the roster. He also projects which men’s basketball player will take the biggest leap and gives a rundown of how a trio of ex-Wildcats did in NBA Summer League.

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Northwestern took center stage at Big Ten media days in Las Vegas on Wednesday and head coach David Braun named SMU transfer Preston Stone the starting quarterback, well ahead of Week 1. Wildcat Report’s Matt Shelton, who was on hand in Vegas, joins Zach on the show to give insight into how the decision came to be and why Braun felt compelled to announce this so early (4:15). The two also discuss other story lines from media days, including how Northwestern views it group of skill players (15:20), how Braun has settled into his front-facing role as head coach (18:09) and what the program shared about its approach to the start of revenue-sharing in college sports (22:20). Finally, Matt gives the latest on Northwestern’s stadium ventures, headlined by the construction of the new Ryan Field (37:35).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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