[NU Sports] Indy plays Perdoo tough

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

>    Looking at the Big 10 standings, its
> clear that MSU. Purdue, Wisky and Ohio St. are locks for the

Definitely - and they should all be "sweet 16" seeds if the committee gives the league the respect it deserves and doesn't fall for the Big XII top-heavy hype (the Big East, however, is legit).

>    So that leaves NU, Minnesota and
> Ill-noise duking it out for what will probably be 2

Again, I'd agree. Though I think the three teams could all make solid cases and we might get three ... but we have to get all the breaks (i.e. the Pac 10 continues to mire in mediocrity, no upsets in small league tourneys, etc.). So it's probably two - especially since the top four will be tough to crack in the league tourney (whoever is #5 and has to play #4 OSU or Wisky to open the tourney could be hurt without the chance to get at least one win in the first round).

> slots.  Let's talk about Ill-noise; a 7-3, 15-8
> record; nearly a carbon copy to NU.  Their final 8

Except their league wins are high - and they have some big wins over Clemson and Vandy. But that closing stretch is a killer. Sparty looks injured tonight, so a win for Ill-noise there could be a big springboard despite the brutal finish.

>   The home game we have vs. Minnesota is huge,

Absolutely. We have to finish hot against our schedule (last 10 is a big factor for the NCAA committee) and beat Minny so that we're 1-1 against the Illini and Gophers (if they're the ones we're competing against).

But first things first - BEAT INDIANA!!!

GO CATS!!!
-SjT