Football's the main focus of OTE, but it seems worth mentioning when a Big Ten team is appearing in its 7th consecutive national championship game. The championship game against Maryland will appear live on the Big Ten Network today at 4pm Eastern, 3pm Central.

For those not familiar with NU women's lacrosse, Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller (the female Pat Fitzgerald, except that she played at Maryland) took a club team to the varsity level in 2002 and proceeded to win national championships in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009, and lost the championship game to Maryland in 2010. In the 2011 rematch today, the Terps are heavily favored, but KAH has almost certainly been building her team up to this game all year.

Player to watch-- NU junior Shannon Smith, a Tewaaraton Trophy finalist (read: Heisman, winner announced in June), who could probably hold her own in a wrestling match with Dan Persa.

Go 'Cats!

Roger has two chances this week to finally make it to a lacrosse game...

So tweets NU_Sports

Good news Northwestern students! Coach Carmody is picking up the tab for your tickets to the NIT game Wed.! Free w/ WildCARD @NorthwesternU

Great article on the women's basketball coach. Anyone who's met him knows he's in the top five for nicest guy on earth, and he's done wonders for the program.

I haven't posted one of these since the North Carolina game-- not because I'm less excited about this team, but because I'm ridiculously busy this quarter and forgot that this was something I was doing.

I also forgot to go to the game last night-- NU vs. Virginia. Click the link above for the recap. 'Cats win 11-8 in a thrilling overtime finish, with NU trailing going into a lightning delay, then scoring the game-tying goal with 50 seconds left. Cardiac 'Cats. And I wasn't there.

Sunday: #2 Northwestern (14-1) vs. Florida (9-6). It's their last game going into the ALC championship in Columbus. 1pm.

Go 'Cats!

Northwestern (#1) vs. University of North Carolina (#2)

Rematch of the 2009 National Championship game. UNC just beat previously-undefeated #3 Maryland. Expectations are high.

And, as Rodger's new women's lacrosse jinx-o-meter reminds us, we're up to a 41-game winning streak (57-game at home). More about what's on the line here.

And the title link is a must-read profile of Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller.

If you aren't excited at this point, you're not a Northwestern fan.

You should be there.

The link above is for a discussion of the team and top players on the NU Rivals board. But mostly, this is a reminder-- our #1-ranked, 5-consecutive national champion, 7-0 women's lacrosse team will be playing Notre Dame on Tuesday, 3/30, at 6pm.

As I have demonstrated, you don't need to know anything about lacrosse to enjoy and be excited by this team!

Go 'Cats, beat the Irish!

All eyes will be (and should be) on the basketball team tomorrow against Purdue at 6:30pm. But if you're not planning on being in Indianapolis for the game, you should head over to Lakeside Field for the second NU Women's Lacrosse home game, this time against Duquesne.

3pm. Plenty of time for you to cheer for the team, get a quick dinner, and find a TV or watch party for NU vs. Purdue.

(ed note: I know nothing about lacrosse, but, 5 time national champs! if anybody knows about lax/consistently goes to games, we should talk.)

Do people read these? Anyway, if you're in Evanston watching the Indiana game on TV, be sure to head over to Lakeside Field (by SPAC) for the NU Women's Lacrosse team's home opener against #5 Georgetown.

1pm. You should be there!