big ten tournament

The Northwestern men's basketball team thought - they did not know - it was the season.

Over the past four months does not exactly go as the Wildcats and the purple-clad followers planned, but at least for a day of hope for an end to one of college basketball live lines unintelligible. The Wildcats beat ninth-placed eighth place Minnesota 75-65 on Thursday in the first round of the Big Ten tournament to set up a date with top-seeded Ohio State in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Over the past 71 springs, the school's inaugural NCAA Championship in 1939, also watched all the other organized activities, a large dance-six Division I conferences. Ivy League teams have reached every NCAA Tournament beds as well.

But not at Northwestern. Northwestern never.

The Wildcats (18-12) Understanding the way to the conference tournament championship - and that elusive first NCAA tournament invite - it is difficult, and their history gives them no comfort. Northwest has never been beyond the second round of the Big Ten tournament.