Wildcat Up!
By Lake The Posts on
If you’re like me, you woke up this morning with a pit in the stomach. Tonight’s road game at Purdue is one of those “winnable” games that will have to be secured for us to get the elusive final four wins.
Last month, the Illini broke our hearts in Welsh-Ryan arena capping off a second half comeback in a game that slipped away. Northwestern improbably returned the favor at Assembly Hall last week picking up a win at a venue we had yet to win at this century. Now, just a couple weeks after another heartbreaking last second home loss to Purdue, Northwestern (15-8,5-6) is out for road revenge once again. Purdue and Northwestern have near identical overall and conference records and could very well be fighting for one another’s NCAA spot when the season comes to an end.
However, today, Northwestern, on paper, has a chance to really put themselves in even better position for a home stretch NCAA Tourney appearance if they can come away with a victory. The Boilermakers (15-9,5-6) and Wildcats are about as even as two teams can be as evidenced by their head-to-head match-up which was a see-saw battle that came down to the last possession.
I’m nervous. As I expounded upon in the post just below this one, I’m emotionally back in, which means I’m set-up to have my soul crushed. I’m really nervous. I’ll continue to pound the “four wins and we’re in” mantra. Obviously a win today and we’d only need three more wins with Iowa and Penn State on the schedule. I’m prone to every game being “must win”, but genuinely I’ve walked and talked myself into this one being just that, even though technically it is not.
I’m banking on Northwestern’s newfound confidence across the non-Shurna/Crawford members playing a role. David Sobolewski is coming off of his best game as a Wildcat on the heels of being named B1G Freshman of the Week. All five starters finished the Iowa game in double figures. The ‘Cats own the league’s longest current winning streak (3) and, gulp, are seeking their fourth straight, which thanks to NUHighlights research, hasn’t happened since 1967. However, Purdue realizes they too are in NCAA Tournament danger zone and realize taking care of business tonight is a must. Both teams are in almost identical situations with the one major exception being that NU is wearing the weitght of history on their shoulders while Purdue is simply wearing the weight of annual expectations not being met.
And, don’t look now, but here comes the media attention. TV crews are starting to swarm around NU practices. The Sun-Times had this article today describing the lunacy that is NU is better primed for a NCAA Tournament bid than Illinois is. And, history is none to kind to us when the ‘Cats have even a modicum of expectations from the media.
We’ll be here to break it down tonight and tomorrow, but my nerves are going full throttle as I eye the clock and do the mental countdown to the BTN 5pm ct telecast. Let’s do this.
We have a great chance today. The difference as of late seems to be the contributions of Sobo, Reggie and Marco. When those guys combine for 40 points, they demand attention…which frees up Shurna to take over games late. in Evanston against Purdue, there were two 5-7 minute stretches where NU did not score. I don’ anticipate that happening today.
The Northwestern Wildcats welcome all fans to the 2012 B1G REVENGE Tour. Tonight’s victim, Robbie Hummel and the Purdue boilerplates.
As per last night’s events, Ohio State’s winning streak is no longer current.
Also, Craft poked a ball into Sullinger’s face… surprised he wasn’t whistled for a technical.
Let’s go ‘Cats!
Lets get this like you said. Boiler down! All of us on these blogs sound psycho waddling back and forth. It is up to the players now. We are one sprained ankle away from doomsday. Seize it like it was 95 and 96 wildcat football.
To “steal one” from Purdue “Play Harder”…Shurna/Crawford combo has seven games to do so…supporting cast stepping it up at crunch time?
Don’t have time to scour the archives, but I’m fairly certain we’ve NEVER had a four-game conference winning streak. Anyone have any idea if it’s ever happened? Thanks.
NUHighlights on Twitter did the dirty work the rest of us were too frightened to do…
And we have a winner. In the 1966-7 season, NU won at Michigan and then at home against Illinois, Iowa, and Ohio State to go 4-0.
So it has been done… just not in the last 45 years.
Lovely. Thank you.
Here is a look into the future. Double header next Saturday..Traders Point Christian Academy vs. Lake Forest Academy 3p.m. at Lake Forest. Then hop over to see the Cats take on Gophers at 6p.m..Can any of us determine if we are getting players or projects..Mike Jackson told me in a chance encounter about Kyle Embry being a Project not too long ago…
Too much Kool aid meant Kyle Rowley
Illinois loss to Michigan ( 70-61 ) opens up sole possession of 6th place in B1G with win over Purdue tonite !
I know I should be excited about this game, but I have this dreadful feeling that the ‘Cats are building up our hopes just to have them crushed again and again and again.
still a road game against a near equal opponent so realistically we probably have somewhere between a 25% and 33% shot to take it.
Fuck this team.
Can’t rebound. Can’t play defense. Same old story.
Back to hoping for the NIT. This is the worst rollercoaster I have ever been on. Where are the optimists that rolled out for that joke of a winning streak? Here’s that dose of reality you needed. Try to put a positive spin on this. I need a good laugh.
Just gave up 87 points in a must-win game.
Ouch….Again and again and again…
I need my man Macarthur31 to come out and tell me everything’s going to be okay and to “enjoy the ride.”
“Set up to have my soul crushed !” -LTP
LTP called it above: “I’m emotionally back in, which means I’m set-up to have my soul crushed. I’m really nervous.”
Get ready for the annual fade down the stretch. It started tonight. Literally.
In a game where Purdue did not score on 12, count ‘em, 12 possessions in the first half, NU did not take advantage. And then proceed to roll over down the stretch rather than muster the killer instinct to go after and put this team away.
Where is Kelly Amonte Hiller when you need her? She wouldn’t put up with this “BS”.
I love the vague references to killer instinct. We expect these 6/7 kids to play the whole game, and win on the road in a game that the home team had to have? We play a gimmick defense and 4 guards. And can’t throw the ball inside. It is what it is, killer instinct isn’t the problem though.
I thought they played really well, and it’s a shame they have these 2 rough road games to break up momentum ahead of the games they need to have.
Dream on. We lost by 10 and didn’t go after Purdue when they served it up to NU in the first half to take the game. In the first half…. Not late in the second.
And what do we do???? We don’t get any points either.
Like I said, no killer instinct.
They didn’t play well.
So they lost.
Not even sure what this mean. We were a huge underdog against a team that had to have the game. You don’t need to get me started on why we are an underdog against a purdue team that has a 6th year guy on one leg, a great coach and nothing else. But that game was not on the short list of likely wins, yet they even took the lead with 8 left or so. I thought it was a pretty nice run and something they can build on. Another Wisconsin/ minn outcome would have been problematic. That isn’t what this was.
If you want to get upset about something, Gus Johnson didn’t shut up the whole game with some dumbass stat about how carmody had won 6 games 7 times or something like that which is apparently a huge accomplishment that our PR squad felt the need to highlight. Yep, a .333 conference winning percentage 7/12 years is what we hang our hat on.
Are u guys serious? They showed up and played well. The path to the tourney did not need a win @purdue, which was highly unlikely. It certainly would have alleviated some pressure, but the school schedules a razor thin margin anyway so what is new? If we win minn and mich we’ll be in good shape. This game was purdue’s season and they hit the glass like they had to.
And enough with the rebounding whining. What exactly do you expect?We play 4 guards and a forward, and play a 1-3-1 which is impossible to rebound out of when the other team gives a crap. Carmody put together a team that has no one that goes and gets rebounds, so the calculated gamble is confusing the other team with this defense enough to make up for the boards. It is what it is. We aren’t going to win on the glass. And when teams hit like they did in the 2nd half we will lose.
“Carmody put together a team that has no one that goes and gets rebounds.”
Well . . . yeah. That’s kind of the point. Carmody’s teams never rebound. And don’t play defense. And lose a lot of games. Don’t see how saying that constitutes “whining”.
Because that’s a given…and people act surprised when it happens. Of course they don’t rebound. My thoughts on the direction of the program are well documented, but one thing i do not get worked up about every game is that they dont rebound. Of course they don’t.
Who exactly are you pissed at for not rebounding? The small forward playing center? The 6’3″ walk-on getting 8 boards? The point guard standing under the rim? Drew crawford sprinting away from the rim to try to block a 3 because that’s what you do in a 1-3-1?
“Who exactly are you pissed at for not rebounding?”
I blame Carmody. I don’t blame any of the players who are playing in a system where rebounding and defense are clearly not a priority. I thought that was clear when I said “Carmody’s teams never rebound and never play defense”.
And the fact that it’s “a given” is exactly my problem with Carmody.
its good to see so much passion out here, but i don’t understand everyones surprise- purdue was a -290 favorite. This was expected (by me, and the oddsmakers at least) Though we were hoping for a win and in future years with the necessary changes, we WILL win, but the end result today shouldn’t be such a surprise. you people need to ease your volatility
+1
I remain committed to the ‘Cat…Purdue plays such a tight defense I knew NU was going to need to have some lucky shots fall. On defense, Purdue consistently exposed the weak areas in NU’s zone.
Too often I wondered aloud during the game, “Shurna, take the ball and do something with it!” He was way too passive, where’s the killer mentality he had @ILL?
We can only hope that NU can steal one in Bloomington, but don’t count on it. This team is only going to be as good as their shooting/rebounding allows them to be.
Cobb and Mirkovic (hopefully) coming back will (not should) help out everyone’s energy levels down the stretch…I’m optimistic NU will be within striking distance @IU, but I already have the mindset that they’re going back to Evanston at 5-8.