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Northwestern University Welcome To The Big Dance

By Josh Marshall

Mar 5, 2017; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats forward Vic Law (left) bumps chests with forward Nathan Taphorn (right) while entering the court during player introductions prior to a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Boilermakers won 69-65. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats forward Vic Law (left) bumps chests with forward Nathan Taphorn (right) while entering the court during player introductions prior to a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Boilermakers won 69-65. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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It only took them 77 seasons but the Northwestern men’s basketball team has finally made its first NCAA tournament appearance.

Northwestern University is finally dancing in March and it isn’t the NIT tournament, it is the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The Wildcats waited all day Sunday for the selection committee to come to a final decision on all the teams and the seeds for the 2017 tournament. Finally, Northwestern’s name was announced.

After earning an eight seed is the west region the Wildcats will play their first tournament game against ninth seeded Vanderbilt. The game tips off Thursday in Salt Lake City.

Matchup

Northwestern Wildcats(23-11) Vs Vanderbilt Commodores(19-15)

Vanderbilt finished the season with a 19-15 record which was 7th overall in the SEC conference. They have key victories against Florida(x2) and an out of conference win against Iowa State, winners of the Big12 Conference Tournament.

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Northwestern finished the season 23-11, which put them in 5th place in Big 10 standings. The Wildcats had key Big 10 victories over Wisconsin, Iowa, Maryland, and Michigan.

Northwestern also had key non-conference games against Butler, a 70-68 loss, and four-point loss to Notre Dame.

West Region Breakdown

The West region has it’s fair share of hurdles for the Wildcats if they want to make a deep run in the tourney. The number one seed belongs to Gonzaga, who has been a top team all season long. Some would question Gonzaga’s strength of schedule. If Northwestern advances passed Vandy they will see themselves meeting up with Gonzaga.

Northwestern would have their hands full in this matchup but it is March Madness and anything is possible. Gonzaga is most likely everyone’s pick to be the first number one seed eliminated from the tournament and how cool would it be if Northwestern is the ones to pull that off.

Other top teams in the West include #5 Notre Dame, #4 West Virginia, #3 Florida State, and #2 Arizona.

It doesn’t look promising for the Wildcats, however Cinderella knows no boundaries when it comes to March Madness.

Look for Northwestern to win their first game against Vanderbilt. They will face Gonzaga in the second found and lose. I don’t think that the Wildcats have enough fire power to hang in with a team like Gonzaga.

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No matter what happens, Northwestern has finally made it to the NCAA tournament and will get a chance to show what they are made of on the big stage. Win or lose the Wildcats have done something no team in the history of Northwestern basketball has. Good luck to the Wildcats and may Cinderella’s slipper fit you well!

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