Deadspin: New-Look Northwestern Opens Its Season Against Binghamton With 11 Newcomers

Northwestern rebuilds its roster

The team has 11 newcomers, eight of them transfers, and will try to develop its identity in the season opener. Ciaravino said the three returners need to guide the new players and show them what Northwestern represents.

West takes on a leading role

Head coach Chris Collins expects West to direct the team. As a freshman, West averaged 5.3 points and 2.8 assists per game, and started 17 of the 33 games he played. Collins, entering his 14th season with Northwestern, said, “We need his voice commanding,” describing West as the player who will lead with the ball and in huddles.

Binghamton enters with optimism

Binghamton begins 2026-27 after an injury-riddled season that ended with the Bearcats in last place in the America East. The team was nevertheless ranked third in the preseason poll, its highest projected finish in 26 seasons in the conference.

Senior center Demetrius Lilley and senior guard Jeremiah Quigley earned preseason all-conference recognition, making Binghamton the only America East team with multiple selections. Lilley averaged 14.6 points and 9.4 rebounds before a season-ending injury; Quigley started 30 games and recorded 14.5 points, 6.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

Bearcats aim to prove ranking

Binghamton coach Levell Sanders welcomed the program’s highest preseason standing but said the team still needed to perform. He said, “now it’s time to go out and prove it.” Northwestern hosts Binghamton on Monday, Nov. 2, in Evanston, Illinois, giving both teams an early chance to measure their new-season expectations.