I’m feeling good about this Big Ten Tournament — and not because I just got a deep whiff of catnip.
No, there’s something different about my Northwestern Wildcats this season. They’ve figured out how to win — on the road, at home, close games, blowouts.
The ‘Cats will need their claws out if they’re going to run the table in the Big Ten tourney and earn a trip to the Big Dance. Can they do it? Let me answer that.
Round 1 vs. Minnesota
11 a.m. Thursday, Big Ten Network
NU has seen these guys twice before — losing once and winning once — and they are not the same team. They lost six of their final nine. Kevin Coble and Craig Moore take control, giving the Wildcats a close win in Indy. Speaking of Indianapolis, it used to be called Naptown. Sounds perfect to me. – SCORE: 66-61
Round 2 vs. Michigan St.
11 a.m. Friday, ESPN
I spy with my cat eye something shocking, and it is a Wildcat upset. Maybe it’s all this milk I’ve been drinking, but I see Northwestern handling the Spartans with relative ease. Besides, we already beat them AT HOME on Jan. 21. – SCORE: 70-59
Semifinal vs. Ohio St.
12:40 p.m. Saturday, CBS
After the Buckeyes dump Wisconsin, they’ll be beat up. The ‘Cats step in and do a little dumping of their own. In the two games between Northwestern and Ohio State this season, neither was decided by more than five points. Sharpshooter Michael Thompson will play the hero in this one, hitting a 3 for the win. Give that man a Fancy Feast. – SCORE: 60-57
Championship vs. Purdue
2:30 p.m. Sunday, CBS
“Well, hello, Purdue. You’ve met Northwestern, haven’t you? Oh, yes, maybe it was that time in January when you had to struggle to win by 2. Or, that time last week when the ‘Cats beat you at home.” The Wildcats go wild after earning their first trip ever to the Big Dance. I’ll celebrate by scratching the couch to shreds. – SCORE: 72-62
