It's official again: Northwestern the greatest team in college hoops history
Well, now I'm really kicking myself for cancelling my credential for Northwestern's 70-63 win at Michigan State. I blame the Michigan Department of Transportation for the horrible way they ignored I-94 last weekend (when I road-tripped for the Illini game). I saw about two salt trucks the whole time...and about 30-40 accidents caused to a certain extent by their negligence. Ridiculous, bordering on criminal.
As soon as I crossed back into Indiana, everything was perfect. Not sure I've ever typed that sentence before -- not sure I'll ever type it again.
But I digress. This should be all about the Wildcats.
There are a million ways to measure how remarkable this win was...and I'll try to hit them all.
1) Michigan State had won 28 straight home games -- but you knew that.
2) Northwestern hadn't beaten a ranked team on the road since Jan. 6, 1999, when Kevin O'Neill's next-to-last team won 58-55 at No. 17 Minnesota.
3) Northwestern hadn't beaten a Top 10 team since March 12, 1994, when Ricky Byrdsong's squad edged No. 8 Michigan 97-93 in overtime.
4) Northwestern hadn't beaten a Top 10 team on its home court since Jan. 3, 1953, when Waldo Fisher's crew won at No. 9 Minnesota 71-65.
5) Northwestern hadn't beaten ranked teams in back-to-back games since...ever!
So, yeah, it's a big victory.
LW
Forget about the good freshman class, the solid duo coming in next year and the prospects for a strong Class of 2010 and beyond.
If you just look at Northwestern's Big Ten play with an unbiased eye, there's no way to believe Carmody needs to be shown the door.
At Penn State: Four-point loss that, while disappointing, is defensible. Yes, they should have gotten a hand in Talor Battle's face at some point in the second half, but you live and learn. The Nittanies have two home losses this year: Temple (6 pts) and MSU (5 points).
Vs. Michigan State: 11-point home loss that was an even game except for the first five minutes of the second half, when the 'Cats inexplicably turned it over 5 times in 6 possessions to help Sparty to a 12-0 run.
At Wisconsin: 29-point loss that was a complete fiasco...except for the fact it inspired Carmody and his staff to search for solutions.
Vs. Purdue: Carmody decides the 1-3-1 zone trap is a good idea...decides giving Jeremy Nash and others more playing time is a good idea...and the 'Cats all but won this game. I still haven't seen the replay of the final foul call on Jeff Ryan -- and I realize the bigger problems were missed FTs and missed layups -- but if Ed Hightower calls that same foul with 2.2 seconds left in an NCAA Tournament game, he gets ridiculed from coast-to-coast.
Vs. Minnesota: Carmody gives the freshmen starters another chance and gives the 2-3 matchup another chance, but ditches them when he realizes other things will work better. Big, big 9-point win.
Tonight at MSU: What more needs to be said? That was a team playing with confidence...and I loved Carmody telling his guys not to go nuts when it was over. Probably not a page from Gary Barnett re: Notre Dame 1995, but whatever. A watershed win.
LW
And to think some of the Purple faithful were ready to send Coach Carmody packing a week ago. I hope that this will quiet the naysayers.