A New Era for the Wildcats
Carla Berube, the former Princeton assistant who spent years honing her craft on the East Coast, was announced this week as the new head coach of Northwestern women’s basketball, succeeding the long‑time architect Joe McKeown, who retired after a distinguished tenure.
The program will enter the offseason with a roster in flux. Grace Sullivan, the 2025‑26 leading scorer who earned Third Team All‑Big Ten honors, has decided to move on, while point‑guard Caroline Lau, who topped the conference with 8.4 assists per game, is also departing after a career that defined the Wildcats’ tempo.
Departures and Remaining Faces
Despite those losses, the Wildcats retain key contributors. Rising senior Casey Harter is expected to anchor the offense, averaging double‑digit points, and junior Xamiya Walton will return to add depth after a solid 7.1 points per game showing last season.
Coaching Staff Overhaul
The coaching staff will also look different. In addition to Berube, the university welcomed former Princeton colleagues Lauren Dillon and Lilly Paro, while Mariya Moore from Georgetown and George Buaku and Allison Guth from Loyola Chicago round out a diverse group of assistants.
Recruiting Momentum
Recruiting has been aggressive, with seven newcomers joining the fold — four transfers and three freshmen — who will be tasked with filling the void left by departing seniors and providing fresh energy on the court.
The schedule presents a stern test; the Wildcats are slated to travel to face four of the top five teams from last year’s Big Ten standings, a gauntlet that could shape the early narrative of Berube’s rebuild.
Northwestern’s recent on‑court results have been modest, with only 52 victories over McKeown’s final five seasons and a meager eight wins in the 2025‑26 campaign, underscoring the urgency of the transition.