After a trio of losing seasons, what do the ‘Cats do to turn it around?
Northwestern athletics has experienced its fair share of success recently, with dozens of outstanding players and a slew of national championships filling up the trophy cases. Unfortunately, women’s basketball has seen better days. After a Big Ten title and an NCAA tournament appearance to start the decade, the team has struggled to compete in the past three seasons. Now going on three straight nine-win seasons, NU needs to make a change — and quick — to get back on the right track and be competitive in a Big Ten conference. What can we expect from the Wildcats headed into this winter?
How does Coach McKeown finish his tenure?
One of the biggest focuses of the 2025-26 season will be on the head coach himself, Joe McKeown. The legendary basketball coach has had difficulties as of late, however, unable to guide the Wildcats to double-digit wins in any of the last three seasons. And after he announced his retirement following the end of next season, NU will be marking this coming season as the finale in a significant chapter of the team’s history.
So, given the circumstances of the coming season, it will be really interesting to see what Coach McKeown does to try to turn the losing ways around and go out with a bang. The Northwestern roster will be going through a huge overhaul for next year, so with so much change coming his way, Coach McKeown’s ability to adapt will be key. Ultimately, the question for ‘Cats fans will be, can Coach Joe turn back the clock one more time and pull out a vintage successful season in his final year?
Can Sammy White make a real impact?
In other big offseason news, Northwestern women’s basketball recently announced the surprise addition of Sammy White to the team for next season. A former lacrosse player for the last four seasons, White decided to make the sport switch for her final year in Evanston now that her lacrosse eligibility is finished. After an illustrious career on the turf that included two All-American selections and a national championship, White shifts to the hardwood — and a team that has seen better days.
The most intriguing part about bringing White onto the team is her potential. Although she has not played organized basketball since high school, she nearly chose the rock over the stick. White was an 1,000-point scorer at Dulaney High School, doing so in just three seasons. A return to the sport she previously excelled at provides an exciting twist to a Northwestern roster searching for its next big star.
Who steps up offensively with a revamped roster?
Speaking of finding its next big star, the ‘Cats are in uncharted territory currently with a very new roster coming back to Evanston in the fall. NU’s three leading scorers from last season — Caileigh Walsh, Melannie Daley and Taylor Williams — are now gone, either transferring out or graduating. With over 30 points per game now out the window, the Wildcats will need to scramble to find a new feasible offensive option, as well as leaders to step up.
Jumping off the page as the most likely candidate is Casey Harter. The rising junior broke out of her shell in her second year with the program, improving in almost every major statistical category. Averaging nearly seven points per game, Harter was NU’s most consistent three-point shooter all year long and has a confidence with the ball in her hands that few others did last year. Alongside her in the backcourt will be rising senior Caroline Lau, who has had her ups and downs offensively but is set to be the next leader for the squad. Lau can pass the ball like no other, and will have to step up as a floor general if the ‘Cats hope to see any success this coming season.
Finally, two transfer portal additions give NU an extra spark that could set the team back on a path of winning ways. DaiJa Turner, a transfer from TCU, saw limited action in her time with the Horned Frogs, but could break out on a NU roster with more questions than answers. Further, her postseason experience as a member of an Elite Eight team could come through as the Wildcats push for postseason action. And Tate Walters out of Furman presents another interesting wrinkle to the roster. Although she struggled from three-point land, Walters is a great driver and is really comfortable pulling up off the dribble. For a guard room that had little success inside the paint last year, Walters could be the change.