With Northwestern’s 70-63 loss to Wisconsin, the Wildcats’ downward slide at the end of their season continues. NU has now lost three of its last four games, including two to the Big Ten’s worst teams: Iowa and Penn State.

At this point, the only chance the Cats have at making the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history is to win the Big Ten Tournament at the end of the regular season. That would give them an automatic bid into the Big Dance.

Back when NU knocked off Purdue and held its own with Wisconsin and Michigan State, a run in the Big Ten Tournament seemed possible. Now the other teams in the conference would love the chance to take on the fallen Cats.

The worst part is if NU had done what it needed to at the end of the Big Ten season, Cats fans would have had a great opportunity to cheer the team on in the Big Ten Tournament. It is held in Indianapolis, and with a student special of $50 for a ticket, a Reading Week roadtrip seemed to be on a lot of students’ agendas.

Now the student body is disillusioned with the team. The Cats put their fans on an emotional roller coaster, starting off the season strong and surging into the nationak top 25, then playing well enough to start Big Ten play and stay in the running for the NCAA Tournament. The season has taken a turn for the worst, and fans feel rightfully let down.

NU was just a tease, a flash in the pan.

While there is now negativity surrounding the team, remember back to the bad feelings just before the season started and Kevin Coble and Jeff Ryan were knocked out for the year with injuries. People predicted the Cats would not win a Big Ten game. Without their best player and a solid contributor, who was going to lead them?

Then a sophomore named John Shurna vaulted into the national spotlight and into the hearts of the NU faithful. His scoring prowess kept the Cats afloat as they learned to play without Coble, and he was a major reason NU was able to win the Chicago Invitational and earn a No. 25 ranking.

And once teams started keying on Shurna, NU fans were treated to another pleasant surprise-a freshman named Drew Crawford. He brought athleticism to Welsh-Ryan Arena, the likes of which had not been seen in the past. He rose above the rim and threw it down to pump up the crowd.

In the midst of all this, NU tied a regular-season record for wins (17) and wins at home (13). This team was supposed to be decimated after Coble’s season-ending injury. It was supposed to be a lost year for the Cats. It was supposed to be more negativity after the football team’s heartbreaking loss at the Outback Bowl.

Instead fans were treated to quality basketball not often seen from NU. While the season has turned sour, the team still played well, arguably overachieving considering the circumstances.

Sports Editor Brian Chappatta is a Medill junior. He can be reached at [email protected].