On Wednesday, the Northwestern Wildcats started their 2021-2022 season, 231 days after losing to Louisville in the NCAA Tournament last year. It was also their first game in front of fans at Welsh-Ryan Arena since February 29th, 2020, when the ‘Cats clinched a share of the Big Ten title, prompting fans to storm the court.

This one wasn’t necessarily very close, with the ‘Cats besting UIC, 72-49. Nonetheless, with the team playing its first game since a few key players departed following NU’s March exit, fans learned a lot about what things might look like this year. Here are three of the biggest takeaways:

Northwestern looks to be starting two true first-years

With Lindsey Pulliam and Jordan Hamilton now gone, Joe McKeown had two starting spots to fill.