Northwestern (6-3, 0-2 B1G) was not expected to win either of their first two conference games, especially after an early-season blowout loss to Fresno State. But the Wildcats scratched and clawed their way to close late-game situations in both, before finding ways to fumble them away down the stretch.
Against Indiana, they hung around for the whole game thanks to a transcendent performance from Dererk Pardon before finally surging into a late lead. After some wasted possessions down the stretch, though, Northwestern left Assembly Hall with nothing.
And a similar situation played out Tuesday night against Michigan.