Entering 2023, there appeared to be little firm ceiling on Northwestern men’s basketball. Situated at 10-2 with its only two defeats to Auburn and Pitt, two very quality opponents, the team effectively controlled its own fate as to how far it went. Optimism was palpable that finally, this would be the team to make it back to the Big Dance.
Then, reality was delivered like a blow from Mike Tyson. The Wildcats were trounced 73-57 by Ohio State on New Year’s Day, shooting a porous 28.4% and scoring only 17 points in the first half. Granted, the Buckeyes are a talented team and are now ranked, but this result provided little but anxiety-inducing memories of disappointing past NU seasons.