Northwestern's Football and Basketball Seasons Converge in Best Time of Year

In Evanston, the skies are getting darker earlier, and the weather is starting to get very chilly.

Winter Quarter is fast approaching for students, and soon snow will begin hitting the ground almost daily.

But for college sports fans, this is the best time of the year.

Northwestern men's basketball tips off Friday evening as the 'Cats take on Northern Illinois at the quaint Welsh Ryan Arena. Then the next day, NU football battles for the inaugural "Land of Lincoln" trophy with the Illinois Fighting Illini. 

NU hoops' high hopes of making the NCAA tournament have taken a severe beating with the announcement that star senior forward Kevin Coble will miss significant time with a foot injury.

But the excitement of the start of basketball season is undeniable. NU still has a very talented team, led by junior point guard Michael "Juice" Thompson and sophomore forward John Shurna. If sophomore center Luka Mirkovic and freshman guard/forward Drew Crawford can make a significant impact this year, postseason hopes remain very much alive.

Northwestern basketball is as unpredictable as NU football. They beat Michigan State and Purdue on the road last year, but also suffered a stunning collapse to Illinois and Purdue at home. The team is coached by the always entertaining Bill Carmody, who is a treat to watch during the game.

Meanwhile, Northwestern football is one win away from definitely securing a bowl berth, and if they can beat Illinois and Wisconsin, a return trip to the Alamo Bowl is likely.

Coming off a stunning upset of previously unbeaten Iowa, excitement about NU football is at a high here in Evanston not seen since immediately after the win over Illinois last season. Adding to that excitement is the chance to see NU knock their bitter rival Illinois out of bowl contention for the second consecutive year.

As a sports fan on campus, I am so excited for this weekend. If both versions of the 'Cats can pull off a win, it will be a great start to the best time of the year. Hopefully, that time won't end until NU wins the Alamo Bowl on Jan. 2.