There were tears in Syracuse, head-scratching about Duke and more than a few double takes at Wichita State.
At Northwestern, they simply celebrated.
On a Selection Sunday that was more about minor quibbles than pure outrage, Northwestern’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament in program history stole the headlines – reminding hardcore fans and casual bracket-fillers alike that March Madness really is that time of year when anything can happen.
The forever also-rans from outside of Chicago knew they’d see their name pop up when the brackets were released, but when they did, they partied anyway. Group hugs. Selifes. A huge sigh of relief and a celebration for a Big Ten program that’s always been big on smarts, short on hoops.
“I’m used to being part of all the ‘firsts’ here,” said senior Vic Law. “I was Coach (Chris) Collins’ first recruit. That belief that we all had – that vision that me and Coach Collins shared – was that this would be different.”