The Northwestern Wildcats started the year as the only team in a BCS conference to have never made an NCAA tournament. After Thursday afternoon's loss to Minnesota, they will end the year in the same spot.As for Minnesota, their ticket should be punched. They are now 22-9, with an RPI hovering around 40. If the Gophers really want to nail down their first tourney berth since 2005, they could upset Michigan State Friday, though that doesn't seem likely or necessary.
