Northwestern University Athletics
Update on NU's Big Ten Tournament Status
10/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 20, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - Upon further review, it turns out we had the Northwestern women's soccer team's chances of getting into the Big Ten Tournament wrong in yesterday's women's soccer story following the Indiana match.
Since Wisconsin automatically gets into the Big Ten Tournament as host of this year's event -- a tournament wrinkle since 2001 -- the Badgers' Friday night match at Minnesota has no bearing on the Wildcats' chances of getting in. Wisconsin is ticketed for the No. 8 seed in the event.
Instead, the Northwestern women will have to look East to the Michigan-Michigan State matchup to determine their fate. The Wolverines and Spartans will kick off at 4 p.m. Eastern (3 p.m. Central) in Ann Arbor Friday.
Please note that for all of these scenarios to play out Northwestern (7-7-1, 3-5-1 Big Ten) must defeat No. 15 Illinois to have any chance of making the Big Ten Tournament. A tie or a loss will leave the 'Cats out of the postseason.
If Michigan wins: Northwestern would be 4-5-1 (13 points) and get in as the No. 7 seed ahead of Michigan State (4-6-0, 12 points).
If Michigan State wins: Northwestern (4-5-1, 13 points) and Michigan (3-3-4, 13 points) would be tied in points. However, the Wildcats would get the No. 7 seed ahead of the Wolverines due to their 1-0 win over Michigan on Sept. 21.
If Michigan and Michigan State tie: Northwestern is out. Michigan (3-2-5, 14 points) will be the sixth seed, while Northwestern (4-5-1, 13) and Michigan State (4-5-1, 13) will be tied in the seventh spot. However, the Spartans will gain the advantage by virtue of their 3-0 win over the Wildcats on Sept. 19.
