Another 0-2 week has come and gone for Northwestern, bringing its record to 7-14 on the year and 0-10 in Big Ten play. The Wildcats lost in three sets to Michigan on Oct. 22 and then were swept by Purdue on Sunday, falling 150-110 in the two matches. Bella Bullington and Mara Štiglic led the team in kills across the two games, totaling 20 and 16, respectively, but it was yet another disappointing showing.
The two additional results emphasize a trend of the season: simply put, the ‘Cats are not operating at the same level, in any regard, as the other Big Ten teams. Across its 10 conference games, NU has won four of the 34 sets it has played. It ranks last in the conference in most important stat categories, from total kills to aces to blocks.
However, despite this lack of competitiveness, Northwestern’s postseason goals aren’t dead just yet. The top 15 Big Ten finishers advance to the postseason conference tournament, and anything can happen from there in a single-elimination format. The ‘Cats have seven games remaining on their schedule, and likely must win four of them to avoid the conference’s bottom three. Let’s break down what NU needs to do in its remaining games.
Must win: 2/2
Saturday versus Rutgers
Rutgers is 10-12 on the year and 1-9 in the Big Ten. Its lone conference win is a sweep over Ohio State, but it has lost in three or four sets in its other nine games. The Scarlet Knights struggle with defense and lack options on the offensive end, representing a winnable game for the ‘Cats. NU will walk onto its home floor on Halloween night desperate for a win over Rutgers; if Northwestern can’t muster up some evil spirits and come away with this one, then it might not win a Big Ten game all year.
Nov. 12 versus Iowa
Iowa is 13-11 on the year and 2-8 in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes beat Rutgers in three sets earlier in the season and just pulled off a surprising upset over a UCLA team that has been a top-third team in the conference. Iowa’s dynamic hitters sparked the upset, but its season has been defined more by lackluster serve receive and defense. The Hawkeyes are an up-and-down team capable of playing with the best, so the ‘Cats will need to bring a balanced consistency to knock off the black and gold.
Winnable: 2/3
Thursday at Illinois
Illinois is 14-7 overall and 6-4 in conference play. The Fighting Illini have recorded several notable wins, including over Minnesota in September, but they’ve also dropped questionable ones, like to Michigan, and played bottom conference teams, like Maryland, close. Northwestern will travel to face its in-state rival as heavy underdogs, but Illinois isn’t unbeatable; if NU brings its A-game, anything is possible.
Nov. 6 at No. 20 Washington
Washington is 15-4 on the year and 6-4 in the Big Ten. The Huskies beat borderline top-10 teams Purdue and Wisconsin earlier this season but lost to an aforementioned questionably inconsistent Illinois team. Washington is one of the best defensive teams in the country, but its offense lacks star power and the ability to put away big plays. A road game halfway across the country against a top-25 team is a difficult ask for this Northwestern team, but its backrow defense and ability to keep the ball in play will give it a puncher’s chance to knock off Washington.
Nov. 14 at No. 19 Indiana
Indiana is 12-7 overall and 5-5 in conference play. The Hoosiers are a middle-of-the-pack team in the Big Ten, beating most of the bad teams they’ve played and losing to most of the good ones. IU ranks in the bottom five in allowed opponent hitting percentage and last in digs per set, while allowing the sixth-fewest opponent kills, meaning opponents hit efficiently but are limited in the number of attacks they produce against the Hoosiers. Indiana is another team that has more talent and ability than Northwestern, but the ‘Cats need to pull off some upsets to make up for the hole they’ve already dug themselves.
Upsets happen?: 0/2
Nov. 8 at No. 12 Oregon
Oregon is 17-3 on the year and 8-2 in the Big Ten. The Ducks have one of the best attacking profiles in the league and the country, and will likely destroy the ‘Cats. This isn’t a game NU should plan on winning.
Nov. 17 at No. 8 Wisconsin
Wisconsin is 14-6 overall and 8-2 in conference play. The Badgers beat four of the top teams in the Big Ten to open their league schedule and have been ranked as a top team in the country for most of the season. Wisconsin has some defensive deficiencies, but its offense makes up for it. The Badgers will end NU’s season violently.
Northwestern’s remaining schedule isn’t easy. The Wildcats have already dropped several winnable games, and now will have to beat the odds to make the postseason tournament. The first step is this week, with Illinois and Rutgers on deck. 2-0 would put the ‘Cats right back into the thick of things, 1-1 would be acceptable and 0-2 might mean they are destined to finish winless in conference play.