Hold!! Steady!! Northwestern is almost through the woods...

Northwestern plays their third game in their seven game guantlet that was supposed to vanquish their season and their NCAA aspirations.  Take a look at this seven game stretch:

The first three have passed with a 2-1 record: a win @ Michigan, loss to Wisconsin, and a huge winover Purdue.  I said before the season if they weathered the storm at 3-4 they'd dance.  Here's the final four, starting with tonight's gem at Ohio State.

	Tue, Jan 19	at (21) Ohio St.	7:00 pm
	Sat, Jan 23	Illinois	8:00 pm
	Tue, Jan 26	at Minnesota	9:00 pm
	Sat, Jan 30	at (6) Michigan St.

.

Any win out of these four will certainly have to be earned, but after beating Purdue on Saturday, it doesn't seem unreasonable that they beat the Illini at home, or even steal one at Minnesota.

Let's just assume they get their one win during the aforementioned stretch.  That would bring the Wildcats to 14-7, (3-6).  Certainly some work to do to make the tourney, but let's look a little deeper into the schedule.  They would own quality wins over Purdue, Butler, Notre Dame, Iowa State and NC State, plus whichever of the four above grants them their win. 

Their remaining schedule, ten games, features only one ranked opponent (at Wisconsin, a likely loss).  The other nine comprise of home and homes with Indiana, Penn State and Iowa; the leagues three worst teams, and no other road games, only visits from Michigan, Minnesota, and Chicago State. 

Do you see any reason they don't finish 8-2, 7-3 at worst?  That would get Northwestern to 22-9 or 21-10, with the schedule they played and the relative strength of the Big Ten, it would certainly be enough to earn them a bid this season.

My point is this; there is a good chance Northwestern is going to hit the skids over the next two weeks, and most "pundits" will write them off.  Don't.  College Hoops, like most sports, is all about schedule.  As long as the Wildcats can keep a few losses in perspective (and something tells me those kids and coaches probably can), the road ahead is clear and bright for the school's first EVER NCAA tourney appearance.

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