Brooklyn, NY—-Ryan Langborg’s remarkable journey from Princeton to Northwestern reached new heights as his clutch shooting propelled the Wildcats to an exhilarating overtime victory against Florida Atlantic in the NCAA Tournament.
During last year’s tournament in Sacramento, California, Langborg caught the attention of Northwestern coach Chris Collins with his standout performance for Princeton. Now, wearing the purple and white, Langborg’s prowess has become a boon for the Wildcats, especially in March madness.
Collins couldn’t help but praise Langborg’s readiness for the big stage, stating, “I don’t know, something about that kid — you get to the dance and he’s ready to go.”
Langborg’s career-best 27-point performance, including 12 crucial points in overtime, steered Northwestern to a hard-fought 77-65 victory over Florida Atlantic in the tournament’s first round.
Reflecting on his stellar performance, Langborg admitted, “I usually don’t celebrate a lot when I make shots, but I know I had my tongue out and things like that,” setting a Northwestern record for points in an NCAA Tournament game.
Despite facing challenges due to injuries depleting their roster, the Wildcats showcased resilience, overcoming a late-game deficit to secure the win. With key players like Ty Berry and Matthew Nicholson sidelined, Northwestern leaned on Langborg’s heroics along with notable contributions from Boo Buie and Brooks Barnhizer.
Buie, the school’s leading scorer, came alive in the second half, adding 19 of his 22 points to the scoreboard. Barnhizer’s double-double performance of 13 points and 10 rebounds further bolstered the Wildcats’ efforts.
Northwestern’s victory sets up a thrilling clash with No. 1 seed UConn in the tournament’s second round, marking another opportunity for the program to make its mark on the national stage.
Coach Collins expressed his admiration for his team’s grit and determination, stating, “The toughness level and the heart of this team is like nothing I’ve ever been a part of.”
While Florida Atlantic put up a valiant fight, highlighted by Vlad Goldin’s 19 points and nine rebounds, they ultimately fell short in overtime. Despite their efforts to stage a comeback, they couldn’t replicate their previous year’s magic.
In the overtime period, Langborg’s stellar play shone brightly, with Northwestern fans chanting his name as he delivered crucial baskets. His performance earned him the distinction of becoming only the second player to score at least 25 points in an NCAA Tournament game for two different schools.
Looking ahead, Northwestern aims to build on this victory as they continue their journey in the tournament. With Langborg leading the charge, the Wildcats are poised for further success, showcasing their resilience and determination on college basketball’s grandest stage.
