‘Tis the season when college basketball teams entertain thoughts of participating in the NCAA Tournament.

And this season, unlike others, the NIU women’s basketball team has a gift under the NCAA tree with their names already on it.

The NCAA allots 48 of these gift-wrapped invitations to the best teams in women’s college basketball. But, being part of the North Star Conference, NIU has a shot at a pre-assigned gift.

All the Huskies have to do to obtain the automatic bid is win the NSC Tournament (March 7-9) … a task easier said than done.

NIU was riding a 26-game winning streak versus NSC opponents over the last two seasons, until DePaul beat them 79-74 Thursday, which includes three NSC tourney wins and the 1990 NSC crown. To repeat, the Huskies will have to knock off home-court favorite, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

The Phoenix (19-5, 12-1) have loomed in the Huskies’ shadow all season long. Carol Hammerle’s team dropped an 81-80 decision in DeKalb when Cindy Conner hit the front end of a one-and-one with no time on the clock back in January. That would be the only league loss of the season for Green Bay.

When the tournament commences, NIU and Green Bay will be the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds. Exact seedings will be determined after these two schools battle for regular-season honors Saturday.

NIU coach Jane Albright sees the possibility of playing Green Bay twice in one week quite exhilirating.

“If we play them in the tourney, it will be the second time in a week,” Albright said. “They are probably one of the best defensive teams in the Midwest. So we’re going to have to crack their defense and stop them from scoring.”

An NIU-UWGB match-up would only take place in championship form. Therefore, the NSC automatic bid would be on the line.

“That’s our main goal,” Albright said. “Ever since the season started, we’ve anticipated the automatic bid.”

In order for the Huskies to reach that point, the road may be quite tedious. Chances are, NIU may have to brush elbows with UIC again.

UIC is the most improved team in the conference. That was evident when the conference leaders struggled to overcome the Flames (6-7) in Chicago just one week ago. In their first meeting this season, the Huskies pounded the Flames, 96-55. First-year UIC coach Eileen McMahon did some adjusting and gave the Huskies the scare of the season the second time around (67-59).

“UIC is the most improved team in the league,” Albright insisted. “With a new coach and Jackie Gilbert playing so well, they are certainly a sleeper to win the tournament.”

Probable first-round opponent for the Huskies should be Akron. The cellar-dwelling Zips check in with a 2-12 ledger in the NSC and a 3-23 record overall. One bright spot for the Zips is that 6-2 senior center Stacey Burrier will be back in the lineup after an injury. Without the inside force that Albright referred to as one of the “best players in the conference,” NIU made easy prey of the Zips in both regular-season meetings (78-51 and 79-62).

“For whatever reason, they just haven’t had the type of season they’re capable of,” Albright noted. “Having Burrier back will make them a much different team.”

Valparaiso, the fourth-place team in the conference, should likely get the draw against UIC in the first day of action. Valparaiso, leading the NSC in scoring, matches up well with the Huskies in terms of similar styles of game.

“Of Green Bay, DePaul and NIU,” Valpo coach Dave Wolter said, “we match up best with Northern. It’s always a fun game when we play them—it’s like the first one to 200 points wins.”

Wolter also acknowledged his team’s potential.

“Don’t leave us out come tournament time,” Wolter said. “If somebody hits a dry spot, we’ll blow them out the door.”

Of course, one can’t mention the NSC without talking about the DePaul Blue Demons. DePaul, guaranteed the No. 3 slot, will be competing in its last North Star Tournament. At 15-11 overall and 10-3 in the NSC, the Blue Demons’ chances of making the 48-team NCAA field are very slim. With that in mind and three key players back in the DePaul lineup, look for Coach Doug Bruno to have his group more than ready.

“DePaul’s coming into the tournament very healthy,” Albright said. “They will be a much different team come tourney time. Beth Hassenmiller is one of the best players in the league. An NIU-DePaul game is always a great match-up.”

Wright State should battle the Blue Demons in the first game. The Raiders will be playing their first NSC Tournament game and undoubtedly their last. WSU checks in at 3-10 and 4-22 overall in its inaugural season as a NSC member.

“Wright State is still a younger team but has shown a lot of improvement,” Albright said. “They are a very capable team.”

Rounding out the eight-team NSC field is Cleveland State. The Vikings (3-11) will head to Green Bay after an emotional 78-71 overtime win at Akron that kept them from occupying last place.

“Cleveland State is still the surprise of the league,” Albright said. “Their record is no indication of the athleticism on that team. Deb Taylor is also one of the best in the league. We have a lot of respect for them.”

If it’s up to Albright, NIU will have no problems gaining the automatic bid.