March 7, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Northwestern Wildcats forward Nick Martinelli (2) watches the second half of the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Northwestern advertises itself as “Chicago’s Big Ten Team.” That slogan will certainly be in circulation this week as the Big Ten Tournament opens at the United Center in Chicago.
But as the 15th-seeded Wildcats prepare to face 18th-seeded Penn State in the first round on Tuesday, they will need to increase court awareness over brand awareness if they are to keep their postseason dreams alive.
“Next time we lose, we’re not guaranteed another game,” Wildcats coach Chris Collins said. “You talk about playing every game like it’s your last. Now that rings true. We have to keep winning to keep the season going. Hopefully, we can have that urgency to survive and improve.”
Northwestern (13-18) boasted conference-leading scorer Nick Martinelli and a 21-point home win over Penn State on Jan. 29, but the Wildcats continued to stumble nonetheless.
Martinelli had a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds for Minnesota on Saturday. Freshmen Jake West (14 points) and Tre Singleton (10 points) joined him in double figures, responding to the team’s season-long need for depth.
Despite squandering a 10-point halftime deficit in closing minutes, Minnesota scored the final four points to win 67-66. Likewise, the Wildcats were unable to secure a back-and-forth battle, suffering a home loss to then-No. 15 Purdue on Wednesday.
Penn State (12 wins, 19 losses) also ended the regular season with two consecutive losses. The Nittany Lions have won just three games, two fewer than Northwestern.
Freshman center Ivan Juric continued his strong finishing kick during Saturday’s 74-62 loss to Rutgers. He grabbed six rebounds and scored a team-high 16 points.
Juric, a 7-footer, has scored in double figures for a career-high four straight games.
“I’m really impressed with him and proud of him,” Penn State coach Mike Rhoades said. “He has made a lot of progress since June in terms of body, mind, maturity and performance.”
Kayden Mingo scored 15 points to pace the Nittany Lions against Northwestern in January, but Penn State couldn’t stop Martinelli, who had 34 points. Singleton recorded a double-double with 17 points and 18 rebounds.
Northwestern has won three of the last four meetings.
Tuesday’s winner will face No. 10 seed Indiana in the second round on Wednesday.
–Field level media
