Northwestern Blank Maryland 3-0 to Win Second Straight Big Ten Title

Three goals, no reply, and a second straight Big Ten Tournament title. Northwestern didn’t just beat Maryland in Sunday’s final in Columbus, they shut the top seeds out completely.

It’s the Wildcats’ fourth Big Ten Tournament title overall, and their fifth straight appearance in the final. That’s not a hot streak anymore, that’s a habit. Maryland came in as the No. 1 seed and joint regular-season champions alongside Northwestern, both sides finishing 7-1 in the league, but the final wasn’t close. Northwestern had already beaten the Terrapins 4-2 back on 22 October, and this one went the same way, only cleaner.

The route here told you plenty. Northwestern cruised past Indiana 3-0 in Friday’s semifinal. Maryland had to work harder, beating Iowa 4-1. Come the final, Northwestern’s defence did the talking. Maryland couldn’t find a way through all afternoon, and three goals at the other end settled it long before the hooter.

For Maryland, it’s a sore one. They shared the regular-season crown and still leave Columbus empty-handed. The good news for them is the season isn’t over. Both of these sides will fancy their chances in the NCAA Tournament regardless of Sunday’s result, and Maryland’s body of work across the season should still earn them a strong seed when the bracket lands.

Northwestern, though, take the automatic bid and the momentum. Back-to-back tournament titles, a clean sheet in the final, and a group that knows exactly how to win in November. That’s a dangerous combination heading into the NCAAs.

The bracket comes out on the NCAA Division I selection show at 10:00pm ET on Sunday, that’s 8:00am PKT on Monday. Eighteen teams, ten automatic qualifiers and eight at-large picks. First-round games start Friday 13 November, and the final is in Louisville on 22 November.

For our money, Northwestern look like a genuine title threat, not just a conference winner. They’ve beaten the best team in their league twice in three weeks, and they haven’t conceded in a final. That travels.