This Northwestern team will always be remembered

Northwestern already has achieved — or overachieved — something even if it doesn't reach the NCAA Tournament.

The Wildcats have become one of my favorite local college basketball teams of the past 50 years.

This was the list prior to Northwestern's 70-66 victory at Iowa on Saturday:

Loyola's 1963 national champions; Loyola's 1985 Sweet Sixteen team; DePaul's 1979 Final Four team; Illinois' 1989 Final Four team.

Though the Ramblers' title team is at the top, the list wasn't based only on success.

It was more about how enjoyable these teams were to follow and how they captured the imagination.

In 1963, Loyola's starting lineup consisted of four blacks at a time when that was unusual if not unheard of.

In 1985, the Ramblers were comprised of mostly Chicago players who played Chicago-style basketball.

In 1979, DePaul was limited to a six-man rotation that won a series of big games late in the season just to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

In 1989, Illinois' Fighting Illini became the Flying Illini, probably the most athletic and entertaining team of them all.

Now we have Northwestern, which hasn't quite captured the public's imagination yet but should have.

The Wildcats aren't as good as the others, not nearly as athletic and not likely to advance as far.

But just getting to the NCAA Tournament will be like winning the Super Bowl.

The Wildcats were fascinating twice last week — overtime home loss to Ohio State and road victory over Iowa.

Northwestern scratched and clawed — as Wildcats are inclined to do — just to stay in the mix for the NCAAs.

Which raises the question whether a team that doesn't qualify for the Tournament can qualify as a fan favorite.

Yes, of course it can.

The 1969 Cubs imploded and to this day remain a lovable team. The 1977 South Side Hit Men also faltered but rank with the 2005 World Series champs as the White Sox' most memorable teams.

Northwestern might not get into the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever, which is what makes the Wildcats' pursuit so intriguing.

As Northwestern stalks history, every shot and rebound counts, every assist and foul, every victory and defeat — in fact, every dang dribble.

Northwestern has lost five Big Ten games by a total of 12 points and a sixth in overtime. Iowa looked like it would join the line of dastardly heartbreakers.

But this time the Wildcats trailed early by 15 points, burst into a double-digit lead of their own and then held on for a victory that perpetuated the drama.

So the quest is alive. Northwestern still has an opportunity for an NCAA Tournament team for the first time since the tourney began in 1939.

During this season's journey, the Wildcats produced the school's all-time leading scorer in senior John Shurna from Glenbard West.

Shurna is sort of like the Wildcats themselves, a little awkward looking with an awkward shot that makes you wonder how he has been so effective.

But Shurna has been, the Cats' record is 18-12 against a strong schedule heading into the conference tournament and their dream of an NCAA appearance still is swirling.

If this is Northwestern's wait'll-next-year year, these Wildcats will be historic.

If not, they'll still be one of the most compelling local college basketball teams in history.

mimrem@dailyherald.com