After escaping the NCAA Tournament’s second round with a slim 8-7 victory over No. 15 Michigan on Sunday, No. 1 Northwestern is looking to evade No. 8 Loyola Maryland on Thursday and book a trip to its fourth consecutive Final Four. While the Wildcats (18-1, 6-0 Big Ten) cruised through March and April with little.
A week after securing the program’s first top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament since 2009, No. 1 Northwestern kicked off its quest for an eighth national title in Martin Stadium on Sunday morning. As the wind whipped onto the cloud-covered lakefront, gutsy underdog No. 15 Michigan stared down the tournament’s favorites in a second-round.
For the first time in nearly three months, No. 1 Northwestern’s back was against the wall. In the Big Ten Tournament championship on May 6 against historic powerhouse No. 10 Maryland, NU trailed 5-4 with six minutes remaining before halftime. Unable to click on all cylinders, the Wildcats had faltered in their typical stout play.