February 5, 1999
By NANCY ARMOUR
AP Sports Writer
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) - With six minutes left, a 22-point game and the walk-ons taking the floor, Northwestern fans had seen enough.
But hold on a second, this wasn't the pre-buzzer exodus that's become practically a tradition. No, fans were leaving Thursday night because Northwestern, this year's surprise of the Big Ten, had another victory wrapped up.
Besides, there was a new episode of "ER" to watch.
"I'm just glad they come," coach Kevin O'Neill said. "I don't care when they leave."
Like the football team did in 1995, Northwestern is finally shedding its Mildcats image on the basketball court. At 13-6 and 5-4 in the Big Ten, Northwestern is having its best season in 30 years.
A 58-34 victory over Michigan on Thursday was its first against the Wolverines since March 12, 1994, and just the second in 26 games. The Wildcats have beaten two Top 25 teams this year, and came close to knocking off Indiana at Assembly Hall.
And for the first time in years, there is postseason fever on the campus.
Though Northwestern hosted the first-ever men's NCAA tournament championship game, the Wildcats don't have much experience when it comes to the postseason. In fact, Northwestern has never made it to the NCAA tournament, and has played in the NIT just twice.
With seven regular-season games left and the Big Ten tournament, Northwestern still has a chance for an NCAA berth. With another victory or two, the Wildcats can probably secure at least an invitation to the NIT.
"Every player wants to play in the NCAA, that's a given," Evan Eschmeyer said. "But it's not something we talk about."
Eschmeyer deserves much of the credit for Northwestern's surprising turnaround. The sixth-year senior, who missed his first two seasons with foot problems, has developed into one of the best centers in the nation.
He leads the Big Ten in rebounding (10.9 per game), field goal percentage (.602) and double-doubles (12), and is third in scoring (19.8 ppg). He recorded the first-ever triple-double at Assembly Hall with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists against Indiana.
"He's a solid player, a real solid player. Very strong," Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe said. "He was like that last year, but he's a year older, a year better."
The Wildcats are also getting solid contributions from their three young starters. Sophomore Sean Wink is averaging 2.56 3-pointers a game, fourth-best in the Big Ten. Freshman point guard David Newman runs the offense like an upperclassmen and is averaging almost nine points a game.
"We were supposed to be the get-well card coming into the season," said O'Neill in his second year at Northwestern.
"We're not the get-well card."