By Paul M. Banks Regarding college basketball in the state of Illinois, it is the worst of times. And it's again the worst of times. We may get zero teams in the NCAA tournament. And it's all over from the Wisconsin border to the edge of the state that neighbors Kentucky. SIU was on the national stage for much of the 2000s, today they're irrelevant. DePaul has been a joke … [Read more...] about Illinois or Northwestern: Who Choked Worse?
northwestern basketball
Minnesota-Northwestern Preview: Loser to the NIT?
By Paul M. Banks and Mike Gallagher (PMB) Given that both of these teams just suffered EMBARASSING losses (Minnesota losing at home to lowly Michigan, Northwestern getting blown out in Iowa City by a very weak Iowa team), this game today is essentially a "play-out game." The loser of this one will pretty much have their bubble burst. Unless they respond very well from this … [Read more...] about Minnesota-Northwestern Preview: Loser to the NIT?
Charting a Northwestern NCAA Tournament Course
By Paul M. Banks January is the most murderous month on the schedule for the Northwestern Wildcats. February/March should be much easier for the Cats, and when it's all said and done- they could quite possibly have that elusive first NCAA tournament bid in program history. … [Read more...] about Charting a Northwestern NCAA Tournament Course
Illinois-Northwestern: Battle to get off the Bubble
By Paul M. Banks and Paul Schmidt Photo Credit: Illinois Loyalty.com … [Read more...] about Illinois-Northwestern: Battle to get off the Bubble
Northwestern Basketball Nationally Ranked for 1st Time in 41 Years
By Paul M. Banks Northwestern ranked No. 25 in this week's AP poll … [Read more...] about Northwestern Basketball Nationally Ranked for 1st Time in 41 Years
What’s Being Said About Emerging College Star John Shurna
By Paul M. Banks It’s another day and another game, and another career high in points for Northwestern forward John Shurna. Last night, Shurna’s 29 points against Central Connecticut State were a new benchmark. He finished just shy of becoming the fifth player in the Big Ten to score 30 points in a game this season. Two of those four are teammates Michael “Juice” Thompson … [Read more...] about What’s Being Said About Emerging College Star John Shurna
Northwestern Hoops All Decade Team
By Paul M. Banks Creating an all decade team for Northwestern, the only program from a major power conference never to qualify for a NCAA tournament, was interesting to say the least. A task such as this requires creativity, being unconventional, perhaps even a bit abnormal. But my celebrity crush is Kirsten Dunst, so conventionalism and normality aren’t exactly my strong … [Read more...] about Northwestern Hoops All Decade Team