Northwestern's hopes of making the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history hinge on a somewhat grueling seven-game stretch.

The Wildcats (18-6, 7-4 Big Ten) have dropped two in a row — an understandable one at Purdue and what could be a damaging one Tuesday to Illinois at home — as they prepare to visit conference leader Wisconsin on Sunday evening. Things won't get any easier in their next game against third-place Maryland.

Here's a look at what the Wildcats face in the closing stretch:

At Wisconsin (21-3, 10-1), Sunday

The Wildcats will be big 'dogs in this one. The Badgers have won eight in a row and are 13-0 at home. Northwestern again will be without leading scorer Scottie Lindsey, who has missed the last two games with mononucleosis. Wisconsin leads the Big Ten in scoring defense (60.2 points per game), while Ethan Happ leads the Badgers in scoring (14.5 ppg) and rebounding (9.3 rpg) and averages 2.7 assists.

Vs. Maryland (20-4, 8-3), Wednesday

A head-scratching loss to Penn State on Tuesday was par for the course in a head-scratching Big Ten season. The Terrapins have lost two in a row, so they might be ripe for a much-needed upset for the Wildcats, who could have Lindsey back for what might be a critical game in deciding their NCAA tournament fate. Maryland is second in the Big Ten at defending the 3-pointer (.320), though, which could mean trouble for the Wildcats.

Vs. Rutgers (13-12, 2-10), Saturday

Rutgers is last in the Big Ten standings but won at Penn State, where Maryland just lost. Go figure. The Scarlet Knights also are last in the conference in scoring (66.7 ppg), free-throw percentage (.623), field-goal percentage (.413), 3-point percentage (.291) and assist-to-turnover ratio (0.8). In other words, who knows what will happen? What should happen is a Wildcats victory — if they can avoid the trappings of overconfidence.

At Illinois (14-11, 4-8), Feb. 21

Another must-win for the Wildcats, who no doubt won't have forgotten the Illini just left Evanston with their first regular-season road victory in more than a year. A Northwestern victory wouldn't qualify as quality in the eyes of the NCAA selection committee, but it does qualify as necessary. Illinois' interior defense is vulnerable, which the Wildcats should look to exploit.

At Indiana (15-10, 5-7), Feb. 25

The Wildcats handled the Hoosiers pretty easily at Welsh-Ryan Arena, winning by 13 on Jan. 29. But Assembly Hall, site of a 32-point loss during the midst of the Wildcats' collapse from the NCAA tournament picture last season, isn't Welsh-Ryan. Then again, these aren't last year's Hoosiers. Indiana's best player, James Blackmon, returned Thursday night from a three-game absence due to a lower-leg injury.

Vs. Michigan (15-9, 5-6), March 1

Michigan hasn't won on the road all season (0-6). But with six capable scorers, the Wolverines are sure to put the Wildcats defense, second-best in the Big Ten in points allowed, to the test. And this is a test the Wildcats must pass. Derrick Walton Jr. (14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists per game) is a handful, and Zak Irvin (12.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists) isn't far behind.

Vs. Purdue (20-5, 9-3), March 4 or 5

The last hurrah at Welsh-Ryan Arena before a $110 million renovation could represent the Wildcats' last hope of making the NCAA tournament (barring winning the Big Ten tournament) for the first time in school history. While Northwestern was without Lindsey the first time the teams met, his presence probably would have made little difference in that 80-59 loss. The Boilermakers boast the best offense (82.2 ppg) and 3-point shooting (.423) in the conference.

pskrbina@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @ChiTribSkrbina

(Shannon Ryan)

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