GAME NOTES: The Elon Phoenix hit the road for the first time in the 2014-15 season, as they venture to Welsch-Ryan Arena to take on the Northwestern Wildcats as part of the Cancun Challenge.

The Phoenix opened up their campaign with a 64-58 victory over Florida Atlantic last Friday, but the success was short-lived as they dropped a 73-60 decision to Charlotte just two days later. Elon could not find an answer for the 49ers' defense, as it shot just 32 percent from the floor in the loss. Coach Matt Matheny has his work cut out for him, as he hopes to build upon last season's 18-14 overall record. However, Matheny only returned two starters in Tanner Samson (9.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and Austin Hamilton (6.2 ppg) and lost four 1,000-point scorers.

Elon displayed a balanced attack in its setback to Charlotte. Freshman guard Elijah Bryant scored a team-high 14 points to lead the way. Samson netted 11 points, while both rookie forward Jack Anton and senior forward Ryan Winters chipped in with 10 points for Elon. Winters recorded 11 rebounds to complete the double-double. Matheny has given junior center Tony Sabato a much bigger role this season. The 6-foot-9 big man has played 43 minutes in two games and recorded eight ppg, a drastic improvement from his 8.2 mpg and 1.5 ppg averages in 2013-14.

The 3-0 Wildcats also have a forward on their roster who has made giant strides from a year ago in redshirt sophomore Sanjay Lumpkin. The 6-6 swingman started 31 games in 2013-14 and led all Big Ten rookies in steals per game (1.1), but his offensive abilities were no where near fully developed. Lumpkin is pacing Northwestern in scoring (11.7 ppg), rebounding (7.3 rpg), steals (1.3 spg) and field goal efficiency (.765).

Northwestern has averaged 67.7 ppg on 42.2 percent shooting from the floor during its hot start, which consists of wins over Houston Baptist (65-58), Brown (69-56) and North Florida (69-67). To get past the Ospreys, the Wildcats received a huge boost from senior guard Tre Demps, who knocked down the game- winning jumper with 2.5 seconds remaining in regulation. Although Lumpkin is leading the way offensively through two games, Demps, fellow senior JerShonn Cobb and freshman floor general Bryant McIntosh (11.3 ppg, 5.0 apg) are capable of registering a team-high in the scoring column on any given occasion.

This will be just the second meeting in history between these programs on the hardwood. Northwestern defeated Elon, 66-51, on Dec. 18, 2002 in the inaugural matchup. The Wildcats are 5-3 against current members of the Colonial Athletic Association. Elon is 0-4 all-time versus the current members of the Big Ten.

The second year of the Chris Collins' era in Evanston is going to be intriguing. The former Coach K assistant experienced his share of success during his time in Durham, but only time will tell if he is able to thrive as the man in charge.