Every Second Counts...

As I've written here, Northwestern University is the only major college team in the history of the NCAA to have never made it into the post-season basketball tournament.  But this year, they're on the cusp of being selected.  Most experts feel that all the team needs is one more win to be a lock.  Unfortunately, they lost their last two games, including their most recent on against a lousy Indiana team, losing on basket and a foul with two seconds left, after having been leading by seven points with only a couple minutes left.

Tonight's game against a good Michigan team was critical, because their last two games are against tough opponents.  I'll get to the point -- with the game tied and time running out, Michigan missed a shot, and the ball went to Northwestern with only 1.7 seconds left.  And on the last play of the game, they threw the ball the full length of the court...and made the shot and won!!  As the announcers said, it was probably the greatest, most important play in NU basketball history.  And that probably isn't hyperbole.

Northwestern now has won 21 games this year, the most they've ever won.  They have guaranteed having a winning Big Ten record for the first time in 50 years.  And they won 10 games in the Big Ten for the first time in 85 years!!

Who knows if they'll get into the post-season tournament for the first time in history.  And who knows how far they'll go.  Not likely terribly far, but just getting in is the goal.  We'll see.

Here's that final play, with the call by hometown announcer Dave Eanet.  And an enthusiastic home crowd.
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