Northwestern Wildcats women's basketball


The Northwestern Wildcats women's basketball team is the intercollegiate women's basketball program representing Northwestern University. The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The Wildcats play home basketball games at Welsh-Ryan Arena on the university campus in Evanston, Illinois, but played the 2017–18 season at Beardsley Gym on the nearby campus of Evanston Township High School during renovations to Welsh–Ryan Arena.

History

Early years (1975–1984)

The Wildcats began play in women's basketball in 1975, with Mary DiStanislao as the first head coach, who coached for five seasons, with the final two resulting in appearances in the AIAW Tournament. In 1980, Annette Lynch took over as head coach, leading the team to postseason appearances in her first two seasons, with the latter being the first season in the Big Ten Conference.

Don Perrelli era (1985–1999)

In 1984, Don Perrelli became head coach of the Wildcats. In his 15-year tenure, he led the team to 5 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, a Big Ten title in 1990, and a NWIT appearance. Perrelli retired after the 1998–99 season.

Decline (1999–2008)

June Olkowski took over, coaching Northwestern for five seasons, but she was fired after finishing 10th or worse each time, never winning more than three conference games. Beth Combs was hired to coach the Wildcats in 2004, but she was fired after four seasons, highlighted with winning only 7 conference games in 4 years and never finishing higher than 10th place.

Joe McKeown era (2008–present)

was hired for the 2008 season. After a 10th-place finish in his first season, they finished tied for 8th in the conference the following season, their highest finish since the 1998 season. After appearing in the WNIT twice in the following four seasons, the Wildcats returned to the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament in 2015, their first appearance since 1997, in a season where they had their highest finish in the conference since 1996.

All-Time Statistical Leaders

Career leaders

Postseason

NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament

The Wildcats have appeared in the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament seven times. They have a record of 3–7.
1982First RoundNorth Carolina StateL 73–71
1987First Round
Second Round		Kansas State
Louisiana Tech		W 62–61
L 82–60
1990First RoundSouth CarolinaL 76–67
1991First Round
Second Round		Washington State
Arkansas		W 82–62
L 105–68
1993First Round
Second Round		Georgia Tech
Tennessee		W 90–62
L 89–66
1997First RoundGeorge WashingtonL 61–46
2015First RoundArkansasL 57–55

NIT results

The Wildcats have appeared in the Women's National Invitation Tournament three times, having a combined record of 5–3. They also appeared in the National Women's Invitational Tournament once, having a record of 3–1.
1996Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals		Illinois State
Louisiana State
Arizona		W 93–71
W 79–75
L 79–63
2010First Round
Second Round
Third Round		Duquesne
St. Bonaventure
Michigan		W 79–72
W 66–62
L 65–44
2011First Round
Second Round		Creighton
Alabama		W 89–63
L 72–70
2014First Round
Second Round
Third Round		Ball State
IUPUI
Indiana		W 69–55
W 88–52
L 66–65

AIAW Women's Basketball Tournament

The Wildcats appeared in the AIAW Women's Basketball Tournament three times before it was discontinued in 1982. They compiled a record of 1–3. They received a bye in 1980.
1979First Round
Quarterfinals		Southern Connecticut State
Louisiana Tech		W 67–61
L 88–52
1980Second RoundSouth CarolinaL 64–61
1981First RoundStephen F. AustinL 88–67