The Arizona Tip-Off doesn't feature any top 10 squads, but it's the perfect place for Northwestern or Butler to earn two wins that will matter when the NCAA Tournament committee does its work. The Wildcats (5-1) and Bulldogs (4-1) open the three-day event Thursday afternoon in Tempe. The winner will claim its most significant victory so far this season and a chance to notch another Friday against either No. 25 Mississippi State (5-0) or UNLV (4-1). Three of Northwestern's key players are still easing into the campaign after returning from injuries. Preseason all-Big Ten selection Brooks Barnhizer has played just two games after undergoing offseason foot injury, while Ty Berry (knee) and Matthew Nicholson (foot) missed the whole offseason.
Northwestern aims to find 3-point touch vs. Butler
