Northwestern's Boo Buie, Chase Audige: 'We're the Best Backcourt in the Country'

Senior guards Boo Buie and Chase Audige led Northwestern to wins over No. 1 Purdue and No. 14 Indiana this week, combining for 76 points across the two games. "I think we're the best backcourt in the country," Audige said after the Wildcats 64-62 win over Indiana.

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern defeated No. 1 Purdue and No. 14 Indiana in a five-day span to claim sole possession of second place in the Big Ten. 

Senior guards Boo Buie and Chase Audige combined for 76 of Northwestern's 128 points across two of its biggest wins under coach Chris Collins. They're the Big Ten's only duo averaging 15-plus points each.

"I think we're the best backcourt in the country," Audige said Wednesday.

Audige started the Indiana game on fire as Northwestern jumped out to a 19-point halftime lead. And despite a storming comeback from the Hoosiers, Buie sunk a floater to secure the 64-62 win. 

"I think more people need to wake up," Buie said. "This isn't luck. It can't be luck at this point."

The game-winning shot came with a bit of controversy, with some claiming Buie pushed off or traveled on the final play.

"That's IU Twitter," Buie said.

WILDCATS WIN!! 🐾 @NUMensBball @booboo_buie with the shot to pull away! pic.twitter.com/qrWg68S3Cc

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 16, 2023

After the game, former NCAA men's basketball officiating coordinator commented on the final play.

"Well he did “push off” but that’s not why [Indiana] lost," Adams said via Twitter. "Being down 21 in 2nd half was the culprit. Hats off to [Northwestern] for the win.

"I don’t think so," Adams tweeted in regards to a potential travel on Buie. "Right foot pivot foot. Can rock on it, pivot on it. IMO, not a travel."

Indiana coach Mike Woodson shared his thoughts.

"The officials didn't call it, so at the end of the day, Boo made a hell of a shot," Woodson said. "You have to give him credit. They get us down 19, you can't spot a team at home 19 and expect to win."

After the game, Buie said this shot is up there with his favorite plays across his four-year career as a Wildcat.

"In the past seasons we've been very, very like not good at all," Buie said. "So definitely in this winning season, I've had great moments throughout my career, but just the fact that we're winning games this year is making it even more special."

With this win, Northwestern completed the season sweep of Indiana by a combined three points. And in both games, the Hoosiers had no defensive answer for the Northwestern guards. Buie scored 21 points on Wednesday and 26 on Jan. 8 at Assembly Hall, and his backcourt mate Audige added 14 points on Wednesday and 19 in the first matchup.

Northwestern now stands two games out of first place behind Purdue, a team it beat 64-58 on Sunday. Buie thought the Purdue win went a long way in building momentum heading into the Wildcats' matchup with Indiana.

"I think just coming off last game's win, it kind of gave us just an extra confidence booster," Buie said Wednesday. "Beating the No. 1 team in the country, that literally tells you you can play with anybody and beat anybody in the country on any given night. So it just reminded us to go play super hungry and super confident because we're capable of things that no one expects."

Northwestern was picked to finish 13th in the Big Ten before the 2022-23 season after starters Ryan Young and Pete Nance transferred to Duke and North Carolina, respectively. Buie and Audige stayed at Northwestern through tough times, finishing 10th or worst for three seasons form 2019-2022.

Audige reflected on the journey after Wednesday's win.

"It's crazy," Audige said. "Especially coming into the year, everybody kind of saying with Pete and Ryan Young leaving, saying we're not going to be anything and putting us in the bottom as they've done every single year that we've been here. 

"Just coming into this year with every chip stacked against us and just believing in us," Audige continued. "Not listening to nobody, not caring what nobody says about us as a team and just doing what we're doing and continue doing, like it's not the end of the season, we've still got more work to do. But it's just like a blessing for real. God is so good and we're going to continue to stay hungry and do what we've got to do."

Related stories on Indiana basketball

• GAME STORY: Indiana made a valiant comeback in the second half of Wednesday's game against Northwestern at Welsh-Ryan Arena, but Boo Buie's game-winner sealed a 64-62 victory for the Wildcats. CLICK HERE
• COLLINS ON VULGAR CHANS AT KOPP: Following Northwestern's 64-62 win over Indiana, coach Chris Collins commented on the vulgar chants directed at Miller Kopp, who transferred from Northwestern to Indiana before the 2021-22 season. CLICK HERE
• WHAT WOODSON SAID: Hear from Indiana basketball head coach Mike Woodson following the No. 14 Hoosiers' 64-62 road loss to Northwestern Wednesday night. Read his full transcript, or just watch the attached video. CLICK HERE
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• PHOTO GALLERY: Take a look at 20 photos from Indiana's 64-62 loss at Northwestern. Down by more than 20 points in the first half, the No. 14 Hoosiers barely fell short in a huge second half comeback. CLICK HERE
• WATCH TJD'S SLICK PASS TO THOMPSON Watch this highlight of Indiana forward Trayce Jackson-Davis's pass to fellow forward Race Thompson, who puts it up for two in the Hoosiers' game versus Northwestern. CLICK HERE
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