Scottie Lindsey swung his arms and hips and danced to a little ditty during pregame introductions Saturday at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Much to the delight of the crowd, the junior guard/forward was announced as a starter for the Wildcats after missing the previous four games with mono.
Lindsey whiffed on his first two shot attempts and finished just 2-for-8 from the field, including 1-for-6 from behind the 3-point line in his return.
But his six points — 8.4 below his season average — proved crucial to the 69-65 victory. He made a floater with 4:12 left for his first two points to give the Wildcats a seven-point lead. He followed with a 3-pointer 58 seconds later.
More importantly, the 24 minutes he played provided him with some much-needed game time before the Wildcats play their final four regular-season games.
Northwestern guard Bryant McIntosh on his late 3-pointer vs. Rutgers
Northwestern guard Bryant McIntosh reacts to his late 3-pointer in the 69-65 win over Rutgers on Feb. 18, 2017. (Paul Skrbina/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern guard Bryant McIntosh reacts to his late 3-pointer in the 69-65 win over Rutgers on Feb. 18, 2017. (Paul Skrbina/Chicago Tribune)
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Guard Bryant McIntosh wasn’t willing to measure Lindsey’s health but welcomed him back with open arms.
“I don’t know about a percentage,” McIntosh said. “You’d have to ask Scott. Just having him out there brings a lot of confidence.”
And relieves some pressure from McIntosh, the Big Ten’s leader in assists, of being the go-to guy on offense.
“Hopefully we can get him more comfortable. It’s going to take some time.”
Speaking of time, Northwestern coach Chris Collins said Lindsey spent too much of it on the court. Collins said Lindsey hadn’t exercised much during the last three weeks and is working to get back in shape.
Northwestern coach Chris Collins on win vs. Rutgers
Northwestern coach Chris Collins reacts to the 69-65 win over Rutgers on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (Paul Skrbina/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern coach Chris Collins reacts to the 69-65 win over Rutgers on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (Paul Skrbina/Chicago Tribune)
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“I’m proud of Scottie,” Collins said. “For him on a couple days’ notice to give us 24 minutes … I was mad at myself. At halftime I looked at the box score and thought I played him too much.
“He’s only going to get better. He’s gotta get through that soreness, that fatigue.”
The sooner he does, the better off the Wildcats (20-7, 9-5 Big Ten) will be.
pskrbina@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @ChiTribSkrbina
Photos from the Northwestern-Rutgers men’s college basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
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