Wednesday, January 22
Evanston, Ill.
6 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
Indiana
Photo by: David Dermer
Wildcats Host Hoosiers in Sold Out Wednesday Showdown
1/21/2025 5:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern men's basketball returns to Welsh-Ryan Arena, where it will play four of its next five games, to host Indiana for the first time since 2023, on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. CT. The matchup will air on Big Ten Network with Brandon Gaudin (play-by-play), Robbie Hummel (analyst) and Andy Katz (reporter) on the TV call, and WGN Radio 720 and SiriusXM Channel 372 with the Voice of the 'Cats Dave Eanet (play-by-play) and Billy McKinney (analyst).
Junior Nick Martinelli leads the Big Ten and ranks 14th nationally in scoring by averaging 20.0 points per game, while shooting 49.8% from the floor (12th in B1G). Martinelli ranks third in the country in scoring by a forward, trailing Eric Dixon (24.7, Villanova) and Maxime Raynaud (20.8, Stanford). Martinelli is one of three high-major players averaging 20+ points per game and 5+ rebounds per game. The Glenview, Ill. native has registered nine games of 10+ points this season, the most in a season by a Northwestern forward since John Shurna posted 18 such games in 2011-12. The last Wildcat to average 20+ points per game was Shurna (20.0) in 2011-12.
Senior Brooks Barnhizer is averaging 18.4 points (6th in B1G), 9.3 rebounds (3rd), 4.1 assists (10th), 2.2 steals (T-2nd) and 1.3 blocks (10th) per game this season. Earlier this season, the Lafayette, Ind. native, posted seven consecutive double-doubles, which is tied for the longest streak in the nation this season and is believed to be the longest by a Wildcat all-time. He leads the country posting five 20+ point, 10+ rebound and 5+ assist games this year.
Martinelli (20.0) and Barnhizer (18.4) are one of two sets of power conference teammates in the country each averaging 18+ points per game. Martinelli has scored 20+ points in three consecutive games, while Barnhizer has accomplished that feat in two consecutive contests. Both Martinelli and Barnhizer are averaging 18+ points and 5+ rebounds per game, something only eight other high-major players are doing.
Graduate student Jalen Leach is third on the team in scoring averaging, 13.7 points per game. He has scored in double figures in seven of his last nine games, including a career-high 19 points in Big Ten play against Michigan.
Last time out, the Wildcats (11-7, 2-5 Big Ten) fell in overtime to No. 20 Michigan, 80-76. It was the Wildcats' ninth overtime game over the past three seasons, which is tied with Bucknell for the most in the nation. Northwestern is 6-3 in such contests.
The Wildcats held the Wolverines, who entered the tilt leading the nation in field goal percentage, to a season-low 36.1% (22-of-61) mark from the field. Northwestern forced Michigan to shoot 7-of-27 from beyond the arc, snapping the Wolverines' streak of six consecutive games with 10+ threes.
Barnhizer posted 21 points and eight rebounds while knocking down 10-of-13 free throw attempts. He became the second Wildcat this season to convert 10+ free throws in a game, joining Leach who had 15 against Eastern Illinois on Nov. 15, 2024. It was Barnhizer's 10th 20-point game of the season.
Martinelli also recorded his 10th 20+ point game of the season. He logged 20 points and six rebounds, converting 9-of-12 free throws, while playing all 45 minutes. Martinelli has scored 20+ points in three of Northwestern's four games against ranked opponents this season.
Leach had 19 points and five assists on 8-of-12 shooting in his 27 minutes of action. He was ejected on a flagrant II foul call with a shade under nine and a half minutes remaining. He became the first Wildcat to have 15+ points and 5+ assists while shooting at least a 65% from the field in a game since Boo Buie against Iowa on March 2, 2024. He tallied five of Northwestern's seven assists.
Graduate student Ty Berry notched 12 points, seven rebounds and five steals in his second game off the bench this season. He became the first Wildcat to post those numbers in a conference game since Drew Crawford on March 3, 2012, against Iowa (18 points, 5 steals, 7 boards).
Graduate student Matthew Nicholson tied his career-high of 16 rebounds in the contest. Nicholson had the fifth 16+ rebound game by a Northwestern player over the past two decades. He was also the most recent player to do so on Feb. 18, 2024, when he pulled down 16 rebounds at Indiana. His 16 rebounds are the most by a Wildcat against a ranked opponent since at least 2004-05.
As a team, the Wildcats are averaging 10.2 turnovers lost per game, which is the fewest in the Big Ten, and ranks 32nd fewest nationally.
Northwestern's defense is allowing an average of 68.1 points per game, which ranks sixth in the Big Ten. According to KenPom, Northwestern's defense places 24th nationally in adjusted efficiency and 45th in turnover percentage.
Northwestern is looking to win its fifth consecutive game against Indiana, which would be the longest win streak by the Wildcats in series history since claiming five straight from 1913-15. Northwestern won last season's meeting on Feb. 18, 2024, inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, 76-72. Ryan Langborg scored 26 points, while Nick Martinelli (13 points, 13 rebounds) and Matthew Nicholson (14 points, 16 rebounds) posted double-doubles.
Dating back to last season, the Wildcats have won 24 of its last 27 home games. Northwestern has won the last two home games in Evanston against Indiana, and are looking to win three straight for the first time since 2009-11.
Indiana snapped a two-game losing skid with a 77-76 overtime win at Ohio State on Friday (Jan. 17). Oumar Ballo has registered a double-double in five of his last six outings. On the season, he is averaging 14.5 points and a Big Ten-leading 10.3 rebounds per game. Malik Reneau (14.5), Mackenzie Mgbako (11.9), and Myles Rice (11.9) are all averaging double-digit points on the campaign.
The Wildcats travel south to in-state foe Illinois for a matchup on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. CT. The game will air on Big Ten Network and WGN Radio 720.
Junior Nick Martinelli leads the Big Ten and ranks 14th nationally in scoring by averaging 20.0 points per game, while shooting 49.8% from the floor (12th in B1G). Martinelli ranks third in the country in scoring by a forward, trailing Eric Dixon (24.7, Villanova) and Maxime Raynaud (20.8, Stanford). Martinelli is one of three high-major players averaging 20+ points per game and 5+ rebounds per game. The Glenview, Ill. native has registered nine games of 10+ points this season, the most in a season by a Northwestern forward since John Shurna posted 18 such games in 2011-12. The last Wildcat to average 20+ points per game was Shurna (20.0) in 2011-12.
Senior Brooks Barnhizer is averaging 18.4 points (6th in B1G), 9.3 rebounds (3rd), 4.1 assists (10th), 2.2 steals (T-2nd) and 1.3 blocks (10th) per game this season. Earlier this season, the Lafayette, Ind. native, posted seven consecutive double-doubles, which is tied for the longest streak in the nation this season and is believed to be the longest by a Wildcat all-time. He leads the country posting five 20+ point, 10+ rebound and 5+ assist games this year.
Martinelli (20.0) and Barnhizer (18.4) are one of two sets of power conference teammates in the country each averaging 18+ points per game. Martinelli has scored 20+ points in three consecutive games, while Barnhizer has accomplished that feat in two consecutive contests. Both Martinelli and Barnhizer are averaging 18+ points and 5+ rebounds per game, something only eight other high-major players are doing.
Graduate student Jalen Leach is third on the team in scoring averaging, 13.7 points per game. He has scored in double figures in seven of his last nine games, including a career-high 19 points in Big Ten play against Michigan.
Last time out, the Wildcats (11-7, 2-5 Big Ten) fell in overtime to No. 20 Michigan, 80-76. It was the Wildcats' ninth overtime game over the past three seasons, which is tied with Bucknell for the most in the nation. Northwestern is 6-3 in such contests.
The Wildcats held the Wolverines, who entered the tilt leading the nation in field goal percentage, to a season-low 36.1% (22-of-61) mark from the field. Northwestern forced Michigan to shoot 7-of-27 from beyond the arc, snapping the Wolverines' streak of six consecutive games with 10+ threes.
Barnhizer posted 21 points and eight rebounds while knocking down 10-of-13 free throw attempts. He became the second Wildcat this season to convert 10+ free throws in a game, joining Leach who had 15 against Eastern Illinois on Nov. 15, 2024. It was Barnhizer's 10th 20-point game of the season.
Martinelli also recorded his 10th 20+ point game of the season. He logged 20 points and six rebounds, converting 9-of-12 free throws, while playing all 45 minutes. Martinelli has scored 20+ points in three of Northwestern's four games against ranked opponents this season.
Leach had 19 points and five assists on 8-of-12 shooting in his 27 minutes of action. He was ejected on a flagrant II foul call with a shade under nine and a half minutes remaining. He became the first Wildcat to have 15+ points and 5+ assists while shooting at least a 65% from the field in a game since Boo Buie against Iowa on March 2, 2024. He tallied five of Northwestern's seven assists.
Graduate student Ty Berry notched 12 points, seven rebounds and five steals in his second game off the bench this season. He became the first Wildcat to post those numbers in a conference game since Drew Crawford on March 3, 2012, against Iowa (18 points, 5 steals, 7 boards).
Graduate student Matthew Nicholson tied his career-high of 16 rebounds in the contest. Nicholson had the fifth 16+ rebound game by a Northwestern player over the past two decades. He was also the most recent player to do so on Feb. 18, 2024, when he pulled down 16 rebounds at Indiana. His 16 rebounds are the most by a Wildcat against a ranked opponent since at least 2004-05.
As a team, the Wildcats are averaging 10.2 turnovers lost per game, which is the fewest in the Big Ten, and ranks 32nd fewest nationally.
Northwestern's defense is allowing an average of 68.1 points per game, which ranks sixth in the Big Ten. According to KenPom, Northwestern's defense places 24th nationally in adjusted efficiency and 45th in turnover percentage.
Northwestern is looking to win its fifth consecutive game against Indiana, which would be the longest win streak by the Wildcats in series history since claiming five straight from 1913-15. Northwestern won last season's meeting on Feb. 18, 2024, inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, 76-72. Ryan Langborg scored 26 points, while Nick Martinelli (13 points, 13 rebounds) and Matthew Nicholson (14 points, 16 rebounds) posted double-doubles.
Dating back to last season, the Wildcats have won 24 of its last 27 home games. Northwestern has won the last two home games in Evanston against Indiana, and are looking to win three straight for the first time since 2009-11.
Indiana snapped a two-game losing skid with a 77-76 overtime win at Ohio State on Friday (Jan. 17). Oumar Ballo has registered a double-double in five of his last six outings. On the season, he is averaging 14.5 points and a Big Ten-leading 10.3 rebounds per game. Malik Reneau (14.5), Mackenzie Mgbako (11.9), and Myles Rice (11.9) are all averaging double-digit points on the campaign.
The Wildcats travel south to in-state foe Illinois for a matchup on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. CT. The game will air on Big Ten Network and WGN Radio 720.
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