ADVERTISEMENT

Only two teams can win the BIG title outright

eastbaycat99

Well-Known Member
Mar 7, 2009
2,430
3,551
113
And one of them is the Cats. Who would have thought it at the start of the year? I know for sure I have never said that sentence before with respect to Men’s Basketball, and I doubt there is a living alum who has ever seen them win the title.

I really hope they keep playing well tonight against the Illini, who at best can end up tied for the championship.
 
And one of them is the Cats. Who would have thought it at the start of the year? I know for sure I have never said that sentence before with respect to Men’s Basketball, and I doubt there is a living alum who has ever seen them win the title.

I really hope they keep playing well tonight against the Illini, who at best can end up tied for the championship.
The next two games are big ones for NU. If they beat both Illinois and Maryland, I believe they will clinch the double bye in the Big Ten tournament. A seven game conference winning streak should start real talk about a top 16 (#4 seed) placement in the NCAAs as well.
 
None of the bracketologists have made the leap to #4 seed for NU yet, but I think if Cats win tonight, we'll start seeing a lot of them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ColumbusCatFan1
And one of them is the Cats. Who would have thought it at the start of the year? I know for sure I have never said that sentence before with respect to Men’s Basketball, and I doubt there is a living alum who has ever seen them win the title.

I really hope they keep playing well tonight against the Illini, who at best can end up tied for the championship.
To do that , pretty much have to win tonight. Really depends on which IL team shows up. Uber Talented Illinois of Disfunctional Illinois
 
Pretty wild, isn't it? If Purdue loses one, we have to win out for the #1 seed. If they lose two, we have to go at least 3-1, doesn't matter which 3. If Purdue loses out, then things get interesting if we go 2-2.

Assuming Purdue loses out (unlikely, yes):
Tonight's Rutgers-Michigan game eliminates the loser from a share of the title
If we beat Illinois, Maryland or Rutgers, they are eliminated from a share of the title
If Michigan and Illinois win their next two games, they play an elimination game for a share of the title
If Michigan and IU win their next three games, they play an elimination game for a share of the title
Unless they reschedule the MSU-Minny game, MSU cannot claim a share of the title
 
The next two games are big ones for NU. If they beat both Illinois and Maryland, I believe they will clinch the double bye in the Big Ten tournament. A seven game conference winning streak should start real talk about a top 16 (#4 seed) placement in the NCAAs as well.
If we do, at least a tie for second with tiebreakers over a lot of the competition including MSU, MD, IL, IN and if how they did against highest ranked team IA as well. About only ones we would not have it over is Mich and Rut
 
Pretty wild, isn't it? If Purdue loses one, we have to win out for the #1 seed. If they lose two, we have to go at least 3-1, doesn't matter which 3. If Purdue loses out, then things get interesting if we go 2-2.

Assuming Purdue loses out (unlikely, yes):
Tonight's Rutgers-Michigan game eliminates the loser from a share of the title
If we beat Illinois, Maryland or Rutgers, they are eliminated from a share of the title
If Michigan and Illinois win their next two games, they play an elimination game for a share of the title
If Michigan and IU win their next three games, they play an elimination game for a share of the title
Unless they reschedule the MSU-Minny game, MSU cannot claim a share of the title
Not sure with Rutgers as they have beaten us.
 
Part of me wants to fast-forward to see what happens because I can't take the stress. A much bigger part of me doesn't want to fast-forward because the last few weeks have been so much fun.

I've watched a lot of non-NU games the last several days and one thing I noticed is that NU is better than most of these teams. They're absolutely legit. Maryland looked sloppy against Minnesota, but Minnesota is so bad that Maryland won easy. Saw two different games against matching ranked 20-7 teams (Tennessee-Texas A&M and Providence-UConn), and I thought, hey! Northwestern is a ranked 20-7 team also! They were just as good if not better than all of these teams.
 
Pretty wild, isn't it? If Purdue loses one, we have to win out for the #1 seed. If they lose two, we have to go at least 3-1, doesn't matter which 3. If Purdue loses out, then things get interesting if we go 2-2.

Assuming Purdue loses out (unlikely, yes):
Tonight's Rutgers-Michigan game eliminates the loser from a share of the title
If we beat Illinois, Maryland or Rutgers, they are eliminated from a share of the title
If Michigan and Illinois win their next two games, they play an elimination game for a share of the title
If Michigan and IU win their next three games, they play an elimination game for a share of the title
Unless they reschedule the MSU-Minny game, MSU cannot claim a share of the title
Who should we be rooting for in Michigan-Rutgers tonight? My sense is Rutgers, since we still have a shot to beat them ourselves. And Michigan seems to be that cockroach who always looks like they're out of the picture and then finds another win to stay there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: phatcat
Who should we be rooting for in Michigan-Rutgers tonight? My sense is Rutgers, since we still have a shot to beat them ourselves. And Michigan seems to be that cockroach who always looks like they're out of the picture and then finds another win to stay there.
My concern is around the home loss to Michigan dropping to a Q3 loss, but a Rutgers loss could move them closer to our home loss dropping into Q2. So not really sure what the answer is here. Torvik does not have clear guidance either.
 
And one of them is the Cats. Who would have thought it at the start of the year? I know for sure I have never said that sentence before with respect to Men’s Basketball, and I doubt there is a living alum who has ever seen them win the title.

I really hope they keep playing well tonight against the Illini, who at best can end up tied for the championship.
Jump all over Illinois and let Purdue stumble home 🏡
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sec.112
My concern is around the home loss to Michigan dropping to a Q3 loss, but a Rutgers loss could move them closer to our home loss dropping into Q2. So not really sure what the answer is here. Torvik does not have clear guidance either.
I don't know if anyone has consistent ways of dealing with all the variables, but the BTN broadcast last night was talking about how the committee will give Iowa a "mulligan" for their awful Eastern Illinois loss. No one seems to want to give us any mulligans even though, for now, our worst loss might just be the Michigan home game that was the end of the Covid stretch and 48 hours after a road game.

Guess we just have to keep winning and take care of our own business.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DaCat
Part of me wants to fast-forward to see what happens because I can't take the stress. A much bigger part of me doesn't want to fast-forward because the last few weeks have been so much fun.

I've watched a lot of non-NU games the last several days and one thing I noticed is that NU is better than most of these teams. They're absolutely legit. Maryland looked sloppy against Minnesota, but Minnesota is so bad that Maryland won easy. Saw two different games against matching ranked 20-7 teams (Tennessee-Texas A&M and Providence-UConn), and I thought, hey! Northwestern is a ranked 20-7 team also! They were just as good if not better than all of these teams.
We don’t always shoot well, but we take good care of the ball and our defense is pretty relentless
 
Who should we be rooting for in Michigan-Rutgers tonight? My sense is Rutgers, since we still have a shot to beat them ourselves. And Michigan seems to be that cockroach who always looks like they're out of the picture and then finds another win to stay there.
I find myself rooting for Michigan a little since my son is there, so I may not be totally objective here. That said, it sure seems like people can't wait to say that Juwan Howard is a terrible coach and each year, he doesn't really let them. I feel like mid-way through the season the past couple years, Michigan looks to be underperforming and people jump on Howard. But then, by the end of the season, they have improved a ton and... there they are.... right back in the Sweet 16 again. Last year, they were the only BIG team to make any noise at all in the tournament. I think he might be ok after all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PURPLECAT88
My concern is around the home loss to Michigan dropping to a Q3 loss, but a Rutgers loss could move them closer to our home loss dropping into Q2. So not really sure what the answer is here. Torvik does not have clear guidance either.
I want them both to lose
 
  • Haha
Reactions: EagerFan
I don't know if anyone has consistent ways of dealing with all the variables, but the BTN broadcast last night was talking about how the committee will give Iowa a "mulligan" for their awful Eastern Illinois loss. No one seems to want to give us any mulligans even though, for now, our worst loss might just be the Michigan home game that was the end of the Covid stretch and 48 hours after a road game.

Guess we just have to keep winning and take care of our own business.
While they are still likely to make the Dance, their last two losses on the road are not great. I knew their shooting% goes down away from home but they are about 6/50 in last two games from 3.
 
Can't believe we are here, and how far the Cats still have to go and STILL might not win title. Tough conference. Only one really had team
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sec.112
Can't believe we are here, and how far the Cats still have to go and STILL might not win title. Tough conference. Only one really had team
I'm with you. These scenarios are mind-blowing. What a great discussion in late February!!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: DaCat
Part of me wants to fast-forward to see what happens because I can't take the stress. A much bigger part of me doesn't want to fast-forward because the last few weeks have been so much fun.

I've watched a lot of non-NU games the last several days and one thing I noticed is that NU is better than most of these teams. They're absolutely legit. Maryland looked sloppy against Minnesota, but Minnesota is so bad that Maryland won easy. Saw two different games against matching ranked 20-7 teams (Tennessee-Texas A&M and Providence-UConn), and I thought, hey! Northwestern is a ranked 20-7 team also! They were just as good if not better than all of these teams.
NU is legit and very good, but even some of our own fans are not willing to admit it ... strength of schedule! :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: NUCat320
Count me in. Can't wait, even if I have no reasons to believe he is a bad coach.

IMG-9363.jpg
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT