After Northwestern started the season 13-1 for the first time since the 1930s, there was a sense that this finally could be the year the program makes its first NCAA tournament.
The Wildcats (13-3, 1-2 Big Ten), who play the Gophers (6-9, 0-2) Saturday at Williams Arena, are one of only five Division I teams that have never been to the Big Dance.
Despite back-to-back losing seasons to begin Chris Collins' tenure at Northwestern there seems to be a significant culture change taking place in Evanston.
"Chris has done a good job with those guys, building them," Gophers coach Richard Pitino said.