EVANSTON, Ill. _ This game had the feel of the 1996 Rose Bowl, the day it felt like Northwestern's football program arrived.
CBS Sports' Jim Nantz was courtside Sunday, wearing a lavender-based tie. The building was stuffed long before tip, and the sound that fans produced during a late 7-0 run was almost enough to prematurely bring down the building.
"Best atmosphere I've ever seen in Welsh-Ryan," tweeted Dave Eanet, the voice of Wildcats basketball since 1996.
But like that day in Pasadena, Northwestern lost to a better team. Big Ten regular-season champion Purdue eked out a 69-65 victory.
Northwestern had a primo chance to tie the game with 15 seconds to play, but Nate Taphorn fired an airball from 3.
Bryant McIntosh knocked one home with 4.3 seconds to play, cutting Purdue's lead to 67-65. But Vincent Edwards made two free throws, effectively ending it.
In the final game before Welsh-Ryan undergoes a $110 million renovation, the frenzied crowd left quietly.
McIntosh was brilliant, scoring 25 points and dishing out six assists to become NU's all-time leader in assists. McIntosh did not get much help from Vic Law or Scottie Lindsey, who combined to miss 19 of 24 from the field.
Taphorn and Sanjay Lumpkin were feted on senior day. The rugged Lumpkin teared up while taking the court with family members. Then he channeled those emotions into a terrific (5-for-5 field goals, seven rebounds) effort.
But no one dominated like Purdue's Caleb Swanigan, who had 20 points, 14 rebounds and three assists.
Northwestern closes out its regular season 21-10 and 10-8, good for sixth in next week's Big Ten tournament in Washington, D.C. The Wildcats will play the winner of the 11 (Ohio State or Indiana) vs. 14 (Rutgers) game.
NU will be on the bottom of draw, playing the late game(s), starting at about 8 p.m. Central time Thursday.
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