As Northwestern men's basketball strives to reach a postseason berth, the 'Cats face a significantly less difficult non-conference slate than one might expect to see on a B1G team's schedule. For example, Northwestern undoubtedly leads the nation in opponents from Fairfield, Connecticut, with two on its schedule in Sacred Heart and, uh ... Fairfield. But based on our research on a few select opponents, it turns out that even though some of their names might not jump off the page, they're pretty cool in their own special ways.
So we combed the Internet once again to give you an idea of what the 'Cats have in store for them until conference play starts on December 30.
Fairfield University Stags (November 18) by Austin Siegel
We couldn't find any really compelling videos of "Lucas the Stag," so here's a deer making a funny noise.
Funniest line in (the older version of its) Fight Song: "We'll stick out our chin, and we'll wind up with a win, with a grin!"
Famous alumnus: Nobody that I’ve heard of! But Meg Ryan (Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally) and Justin Long (Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, Walking with Dinosaurs 3D) were both born in Fairfield, Connecticut.
NCAA Tournament appearances: Three.
Weirdest tradition: Mock Wedding. Every senior selects a class member to be part of a fake wedding ceremony at a local beach, followed by a giant party. This is the strangest thing I've ever heard of, and I go to a school that has a giant music festival named after an armadillo.
Stags beat out Men in Red and Chanticleers as the the school's nickname. So yeah, it could've been worse.
All time head-to-head: NU trails series 1-0.
Columbia University Lions (November 20) by Jason Mast
More funny animal noises.
Funniest line in Fight Song: "While the sons of Knickerbocker rally 'round Columbia, Columbia!"
Famous alumnus: Peter Parker/Spiderman. We really just couldn't think of nobody else.
NCAA Tournament appearances: Three.
Weirdest tradition: On the night before the Organic Chemistry final, the marching band plays across campus, including in the library and in the center of the Barnard Quad while disgruntled pre-meds rain notebooks, course packets and water balloons on them.
In the wild, Lions are known to sleep for 20 hours straight. From 1983 to 1989 these Columbian Kings of the Jungle slept for 44 straight football games, eclipsing the Wildcats’ own NCAA record for consecutive losses.
All time head-to-head: Series tied 1-1. Last NU win: 1991
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tar Heels (November 23) by Will Fischer
We're not sure what a Tar Heel is, but in honor of UNC's mascot Rameses, here's a ram ... also making a funny noise.
Funniest line in Fight Song: “Rah, Rah, Car’lina!” They forgot the "O” in Carolina! I’m sure it was just an accident – they probably still have really challenging classes, especially for their athletes.
Famous alumnus: Michael Jordan, who enjoyed a nice career with the Chicago White Sox AA affiliate, the Birmingham Barons. “MJ," as those around Birmingham call him, hit .202 and clubbed 17 doubles for the Barons in 1994.
NCAA Tournament appearances: 46.
Weirdest tradition: Every year around March, North Carolina almost always participates in a little something called the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The Tar Heels have played 156 total games in this yearly tradition, with a record of 112-44. I don’t know why Northwestern doesn’t do this; it sounds like it could be fun. There must be somewhere to sign up.
Apparently, UNC is the No. 1 ranked team in the country. That’s a really low number, so I don’t think the Tar Heels are very good. I’ve got the ‘Cats winning big in this one.
All time head-to-head: NU trails series 3-1. Last NU win: 1946
University of New Orleans Privateers (November 28) by Arielle Schwartz
Lafitte the "InstiGator," presented without comment.
Funniest line in Fight Song: “Fling out her banner forward we go!”
Famous alumnus: Ellen DeGeneres. Eh ... Oprah was better.
NCAA Tournament appearances: Four.
Weirdest tradition: UNO has Privateer Plunge, where students attend 12 different “colored” events that separate into different categories based on academics, culture, health, wellness, etc. during an individual’s first year. Okay, that's not that weird. But the name is.
Oh, by the way, the Privateers attend a public school.
All time head-to-head: NU leads series 1-0, Last NU win: 1978
Sacred Heart University Pioneers (December 20) by Tim Hackett
Human mascot suits are definitely, always a good idea.
Funniest line in Fight Song: “From Class To Field, Our Spirit Yields, The Quest For Victory!” So clearly, the Pioneers emphasize their athletes actually performing well academically, instead of just athletically.
Famous alumnus: Voice acting stalwart John Ratzenberger, the guy who has appeared in every single Pixar film ever. He’s currently on the Board of Trustees.
NCAA Tournament Appearances: Zero. (Hey, samezies!)
Weirdest (well, this one isn't really "weird," but) tradition: In honor of a recently-deceased former basketball player, the Band plays “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne before every basketball match. A devout Catholic school, the Band also now plays outside of the campus chapel before every football game.
All time head-to-head: First matchup.
Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils (December 15) by Andy Brown
Skip to 0:30 in the video below to sing along with this fun tune.
Funniest line in Fight Song: "Fe Fi, Fo Fum, You’re looking down the Barrel of the Devil’s gun!"
Famous alumnus: Jerry Rice, captain of "Team Rice," 2014 Pro Bowl Champs.
NCAA Tournament appearances: Five.
Weirdest tradition: The Delta Devils have played the 'Cats in Welsh-Ryan Arena every season this decade. No, seriously, this is the fifth straight year.
This is shaping up to be one of college basketball's most intense rivalries, with NU playing Harlem Globetrotters to MVSU's Washington Generals and releasing its post-finals week angst on the Delta Devils year after year. We hope MVSU can put on a better show this year, but we're not optimistic – the school is ranked 349th out of 351 Division 1 NCAA teams according to Ken Pomeroy's rankings.
All time head-to-head: NU leads series 5-1. Last NU win: 2014
Even if this non-conference schedule isn't sending shivers down your spine, take solace in the fact that the 'Cats are fortunate enough to avoid Evanston YMCA yet again this season, because NU is on a seven-game losing streak against those boys dating back to 1908. Facts only:
