Northwestern will look to slow down Sully and company.
Will this be the day that the Northwestern leaps into the NCAA Tournament?
The Cats put themselves in that position tonight against the 10th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in what could be the signature win that puts them in the Field of 64, err 68. If Northwestern can get by Ohio State, then a victory on the road versus suddenly dangerous Iowa becomes a little less important in their quest.
However, a 9-9 record in the B1G is what the team should be shooting for because it 1) solidifies entrance to the dance, 2) gets them out of the annoying play-in games on Tuesday, the games that I’ve said before aren’t a real part of the Tourney, and 3) just looks better.
But beggars cannot be choosy, and I will take a Last Four In (LFI) standing as long as the Cats promise to make the NCAA for many more years to come.
Which Ohio State team will show up? The Top 5 unit that smoked Northwestern by 34 in Columbus and looked ready to make a return trip to the Final Four? Or the sluggish and sloppy squad that has lost three of the last five, including a loss at home to Wisconsin on Sunday. They are clearly a dangerous bunch who are coming to town in a grumpy mood, so how will Johnny ”Cash” Shurna and crew respond? Win? Lose by 0 to 6? Lose by more than 6??
Sadly, I did not pick up tickets to this battle at Welsh-Ryan (anyone have any extras?). I knew I would be kicking myself, but I am applying my purple paint in spirit as we speak. Go Cats!
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February 29, 2012 at 1:50 pm
NU has 8 wins against OSU since 1980 and today is Leap Year Day. Good things happen every 4 years, so it figures to be a W tonight.
February 29, 2012 at 4:40 pm
Foolproof!
February 29, 2012 at 5:33 pm
I’ve got NW +7′ on this one. I don’t have an option for that, mainly because I don’t care if they win or lose by less than 7, just would like one. This is their chance to make the tourney.
February 29, 2012 at 10:46 pm
Wow, crazy finish to that game.
Northwestern would have won, had they figured out at any point during the game that boxing out for rebounds is an important aspect of the game.
Box score I see sez OSU 33 rebounds, Northwestern 11. Yikes.
February 29, 2012 at 10:58 pm
Just brutal.