As Northwestern fans well know, the 'Cats can lift you up or break your heart. Just three weeks into spring quarter, the Wildcat faithful have witnessed that first-hand. While the lacrosse team has gotten back on its feet, the baseball and softball teams have struggled. The basketball team has lost many players to transfer or graudation, leaving only six players standing and room for new additions. This is NBN Sports' take on NFL Network's #BoldPredictions (some plausible, some not too plausible) for Northwestern's own spring season.
Softball finishes third in the Big Ten
By Daniel Hersh
Halfway through its conference games, the softball team has been good but not great. Their 6-6 Big Ten record doesn’t reflect other quality wins like their 4-2 victory over No. 3 Washington. But with three of their next four series against the three worst Big Ten teams, look for them to finish strong. The ‘Cats offense is a force to be reckoned with as they have three starters batting over .360 — Emily Allard (.388), Brianna LeBeau (.370) and Andrea DiPrima (.366). This three-headed offensive monster could give the old Texas Rangers’ Juan Gonzalez-Pudge Rodriguez-Rafael Palmeiro trio a run for their money. And trust me, even though those Rangers teams didn’t do much, they made the playoffs twice (then got caught for ‘roiding up).
The best high school basketball recruit declares for NU
By Andrew Simpson
Forget KU, Texas or SMU, the No. 2 high school recruit in the country will be coming to Northwestern. Myles Turner is a 240-pound, 7-foot Texas native that loves blocking shots and has no idea winter in Evanston lasts six months.
With head coach Chris Collins guarantee of nearly unlimited playing time and the prospect of a well-rounded, four-year education, the future NBA prospect’s parents will have no choice but to make the choice for their talented son. Turner probably won’t complain, as he will be surrounded by other talented freshman next year and he enjoys scoring the majority of his team’s points.
Lacrosse qualifies for national championship game
By Shannon Lane
Last year's finish to the lacrosse season was less than ideal — losing by seven goals to constant rival North Carolina? That's just not Northwestern's style. But this season's 7-5 win over the Tar Heels Mar. 31 will propel the 'Cats past playoff jitters and into the most important game of the season: the NCAA championship. So far this season, Northwestern has gone 5-3 against ranked opponents and 9-4 overall, earning a fifth place national ranking. Senior Alyssa Leonard is third in the country in draw control wins with 98, while fellow senior Kat DeRonda and sophomore Kaleigh Craig are leading the Northwestern attack with 34 and 31 points, respectively, on the season. All these numbers can (and should) add up to a very high seeding in the NCAA tournament and a likely shot at an eigth championship title.
Women's golf just camps out in tropical locations for the remainder of the season
By Ellen Schmitz
The 20th-ranked Northwestern women’s golf team will camp out in Napa, Calif., for the rest of the season and forfeit the rest of its scheduled tournaments. Indiana and Oklahoma just aren’t that appealing after playing in the tropical climates of New Mexico, California, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia and Puerto Rico. And Evanston? Gimme a break. It’s sure doesn’t feel like Heavenston after playing a few holes on a championship golf course in 80-degree weather. After setting a school record with 11 under 277 and winning the stroke play portion at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic in Georgia earlier this month, the Wildcats deserve a vacation. Especially deserving of a break is Hannah Lee, who has been honored twice this year as the Big Ten golfer of the week.
Famous tennis grunts heard from far and wide
By Ben Sanders
Tennis season is coming to a close for both the varsity men and women’s tennis teams at Northwestern, but there’s still plenty to look forward to. Both teams will be competing in the Big Ten Tournament, and this year the women’s tourney is located in good ole Evanston. Even if you aren’t able to make your way up North to the Vandy Christie Tennis Center this next weekend for the matches, you will be able to hear their emphatic grunts and moans from the sorority quad.
Northwestern baseball finishes above .500
By Jasper Scherer
Pessimistic Northwestern baseball fans will be swayed by the team’s 6-24 record this season, which has included four losing streaks of four or more games. In the midst of a current two-game slide, the outlook isn’t necessarily bright, but that doesn’t mean the team isn’t primed for a winning stretch. The ‘Cats recently came the closest they’ve been all season to a “hot streak,” with a 14-13 comeback win over Iowa on Friday. Shortstop Cody Stevens continued his solid performance this season by going 3-for-4 in the game, and if you add right-hander Jack Quigley’s promising recent results to the mix, Northwestern has a chance to right the ship.