Northwestern Nearing End of Their Difficult Start to Big Ten Play

Northwestern fans are not feeling too well after Tuesday's blowout defeat at the hands of Ohio State.

The Wildcats are 2-4 in the Big Ten, but all four of their losses have been to teams that have been ranked in the AP Top 25 at some point this season.

The schedule is still going to be very tough these next two weeks, as the Wildcats wrap up probably the 10 most difficult games imaginable to open the Big Ten season.

All 10 games feature teams that made the NCAA tournament last year.

That's where Northwestern is looking to go this year for...wait for it...the first time ever. (Heard that enough times?)

I think Northwestern can win three of their next four—Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan—and it appears that they HAVE to split their next four games.

The most important thing for NU to do is defend their home court. Starting Saturday against Illinois, a team they lost to in OT on the road, and then Michigan, a team they beat in Ann Arbor. If they win those two games, they'll be in solid shape.

But then the problem becomes winning the games you're supposed to win. Six of their final eight games in Big Ten play are against Indiana, Penn State, and Iowa.

They must win all those games in order to make the NCAA Tournament.

In fact, Northwestern probably needs to win every home game from here on out. The toughest tests will be Illinois, Michigan, and then later in the year, Minnesota.

You can see their remaining schedule here.

If the Wildcats protect their home court, they'll finish with over 20 victories. Mix in a road upset here or there, and a NCAA tournament berth is likely.

It's not going to be easy, but it remains very possible despite the bad taste the OSU loss put in many fans' mouths.