The Northwestern Wildcats Will Not Be Going Dancing

Erik Malinowski|published: Thu 8th March, 20:55 2012

What looked like a sure thing is now just a memory. The Northwestern Wildcats hoops team, despite its best efforts, will most assuredly miss qualifying for the NCAA Tournament after today's overtime loss to Minnesota in the Big 10 Tournament. The team was attempting to secure its first March Madness appearance in 73 years of existence.

Instead, sadness. I understand how it tough it can be when your alma mater is nowhere near the elite programs of the country, but Northwestern has had to constantly battle with better schools like Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio State. Finally, this would be the year. Still, no appearances in 73 years? Cripes, that's rough.

Oh, and it turns out that an insane amount of sports media types hail from Northwestern. Their reactions, by night's end, will surely reach all steps of the Kübler-Ross model.

Let's assume all Northwestern fans were in denial at first.

Then comes anger ...

... followed by bargaining ...

... then comes depression ...

And, finally, acceptance.