Unconventional Lineup Comes Up Short Against Minnesota

Coach Carmody went to an unconventional lineup of Williams, Nash, Mirkovic, Thompson, and Shurna last week in a move to rest his big guns for the stretch run at #19 Purdue in West Lafayette. Surprisingly, this lineup not only managed to hold onto a slim NU lead but actually built upon the lead thanks in no small part to offensive contributions from Williams.

Against Minnesota in today's Big Ten Tournament game, with 4 fouls for Coble and Thompson late in the second half, Carmody opted for a similarly unconventional lineup of Nash, Williams, Moore, Ryan and Peljusic during a pivotal late second half stretch. Carmody gambled to ensure Thompson and Coble would be available for the closing minutes, but perhaps Carmody also wanted to get a little breather for his stars as Thompson had exerted a lot of energy to get NU back into the game, and Coble was hounded by multiple Minnesota defenders after a stellar first half.

This move proved less successful than the Purdue game lineup as Minnesota opened up a 3 point lead while Thompson and Coble sat. There is some overblown criticism to Carmody's decision because of this 3 point gap, but this was not the reason NU lost. No, NU lost because it could not make a bucket even once the stars came back into the game. Had NU won this game (like the Purdue game), there wouldn't be much attention paid to this at all. It just goes to show that winning is a great salve.

NIT Bound?

So much for the hope of a 2 game run in the Big Ten Tournament and an invitation to the NCAAs. NU went one and done thanks to a 16-0 Minnesota run in the first half and Northwestern turning ice cold down the stretch. NU did manage to take a small lead late in the second half, but the momentum seemed to switch on a dime as Jeremy Nash clanked 2 free throws and Moore couldn't land a long range dagger. NU's first ever NCAA berth will just have to wait 'til next year (for a change, NU fans can mean it when they say it).

Northwestern took large strides this year but in the end came up just a bit short of the mark. I feel for Craig Moore who stepped up his play once again this year and took on the leadership mantle and thrived in that role. I expect to see Craig sitting right behind the bench next year in our first round game in the Big Dance with a big smile on his face.

The NIT awaits NU as a reward for a 17-13 and 8-11 season. The question of whom will be NU's opponent and where the first game will be answered in due time. NU fans have reason to be optimistic for an NIT run. Many NU fans have eyed Notre Dame as a potential first round foe. That would be a fun match-up and give us a chance to get a close look at former Wildcat recruit Luke Harangody who received much preseason praise.

Two wins away from the Promised Land

NU men's basketball is just two wins away from its first invite to March Madness. Long suffering followers of the program have awaited this day and would be cause for spontaneous rejoice and perhaps even combustion. Can NU make the leap? Absolutely.

This feat would be accomplished by defeating Minnesota and Michigan State at the Big Ten Tournament this Thursday and Friday. Note that NU already vanquished both foes earlier this year including a victory over MSU at the Breslin Center. Thus, it is reasonable to think that NU can climb this last little bit of the NCAA's mountain.

The Big Ten is projected by the bracketologistensia to have anywhere between 6 and 8 invitees to the Big Dance. NU, as the 9th seed, is currently on the outside looking in. A victory over Minnesota could conceivably leapfrog NU over Minnesota in the eyes of the selection committee and in of itself persuade the committee that NU is worthy of an invite. However, I don't think this victory alone would do the deed and would most likely result in Big Ten cannibalization with both NU and Minnesota NIT-bound.

A second victory over MSU would really raise the eyebrows of the NCAA selection committee and add enough substance to NU's case for an invite to seal the deal. More specifically, a victory over MSU would mean:

1. NU defeated 8 top 50 programs. This statistic alone compares favorably to other bubble teams (and even to many NCAA locks);
2. NU defeated MSU, a likely 2 or 3 seed, both at Breslin and on a neutral court;
3. NU finished the year strong. At worst, NU would have won 5 of its last 7 and 6 of its last 9 including 2 road victories and 2 neutral court victories;
4. NU's record, at worst, of 19-13, 10-11 including a top 4 finish in the conference tourney; and
5. Improved RPI, Sagarin, strength of schedule, and Pomeroy ratings. All but the RPI statistic currently are NCAA-worthy with possibly all four in the no red flag territory after a victory on Friday.

These are compelling arguments to the NCAA selection committee. The last leg of the NCAA push begins Thursday @ 11AM Central. Just win, baby!