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Northwestern men's basketball aims for third-straight NCAA Tournament bid

Illinois, Northwestern aim to build on recent NCAA Tournament successes
Illinois, Northwestern aim to build on recent NCAA Tournament successes 03:04

The Northwestern men's basketball team is not expected to content in the now 18-team Big Ten Conference, but one thing fans have learned in recent years is to not count out Chris Collins and the Wildcats.

Northwestern is coming off back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in program history.

Brooks Barnhizer and a healthy Ty Berry are among the four returning starters looking to make their own history without all-time leading scorer Boo Buie.

Illini, Northwestern basketball will compete in now 18-team Big Ten Conference 01:09

"I think the guys are hungry for more," Collins said. "We kinda know the narrative. You know, last year coming in, it was, 'Can you do it two years in a row?' And I think we all know this year it's 'Can you do it without Boo?'"

Collins added that "of course" Northwestern will miss Buie, but "the really good programs … they do it year in and year out, no matter who's wearing the jersey and I think that's a motivating force for these guys I got this year."

Berry added, "I feel like Boo was such a great leader and he left such a great culture that we've continued on and I feel like our culture of toughness and just to come in every day and work our tails off, I think that's really what's gonna carry us back." 

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