Sunday, January 26
Urbana-Champaign, Ill.
2 p.m. CT
Northwestern
at
#17 Illinois
Photo by: Griffin Quinn / Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Makes Road Trip to Battle No. 17 Illinois
1/25/2025 1:27:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Winners of two of its last three games, Northwestern men's basketball travels down I-57 as it looks for a regular season series sweep against in-state foe No. 17 Illinois at 2 p.m. CT on Sunday, Jan. 26. The matchup will air on Big Ten Network with Dave Revsine (play-by-play) and Jordan Taylor (analyst) on the call, and can be heard on WGN Radio 720 and SiriusXM Channel 372 with Dave Eanet (play-by-play) and Billy McKinney (analyst).
The Wildcats' (12-7, 3-5 B1G) offense features two of the Big Ten's top five scorers in junior Nick Martinelli (19.9, t-1st) and junior Brooks Barnhizer (18.5, 5th). Martinelli ranks 16th nationally in scoring, while shooting 50.4% from the floor (11th in B1G). He ranks fourth in the country in scoring by a forward, trailing Eric Dixon (24.7, Villanova), Maxime Raynaud (20.8, Stanford), Taje' Kelly (20.0, Charleston Southern). Martinelli is the only high-major player in the country averaging 19+ points per game on at least 50% shooting from the field. The Glenview, Ill. native has registered ten games of 20+ points this season, the most in a season by a Northwestern forward since John Shurna posted 18 such games in 2011-12.
Barnhizer is stuffing the stat sheet with 18.5 points (5th in B1G), 9.2 rebounds (3rd), 4.3 assists (10th), 2.5 steals (1st) and 1.2 blocks (10th) per game this season. He is one of only three Big Ten guards to average over nine rebounds per game over the last 54 seasons, joining Evan Turner (2009-10, Ohio State, 9.2) and Henry Wilmore (1970-71, Michigan, 9.8). Only two other players have posted single-season numbers of at least 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists and 2.5 steals per game since 1947-48: Larry Bird (Indiana State, 1976-77, 1977-78) and Ron Harper (Miami (OH), 1985-86.
Last time out, a 21-4 run propelled the Wildcats to their fifth straight victory over Indiana on Wednesday (Jan. 22) night in Evanston. Northwestern scored 54 second-half points, its most in a second half in Big Ten play since at least 2000, outscoring the Hoosiers 54-39 in the stanza.
The Wildcats' five consecutive wins against the Hoosiers is the longest win streak by Northwestern in series history since claiming five straight from 1913-15. The Wildcats had four players — graduate students Ty Berry and Jalen Leach, Barnhizer and Martinelli — score at least 15 points.
Coming off the bench for his third consecutive contest, Berry tied his season-high with 23 points, knocking down a career high 7-of-10 3-point attempts, while logging seven rebounds, and two blocks. His 23 points off the bench were the most by a Wildcat since Boo Buie scored 26 points against Michigan State on Dec. 18, 2019. Berry became the first Northwestern player to make 7+ threes while shooting at least 70% from beyond the arc since Scottie Lindsey did so on Feb. 25, 2018, against Iowa. Berry has scored in double figures in each of the last three games.
Barnhizer notched 21 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and a career-high six steals, shooting 8-of-14 from the field. He is the first Big Ten player since at least 1996-97 to post those numbers in a Big Ten game. Barnhizer's six steals were the most by a Wildcat since Jan. 8, 2023, when Chase Audige had six at Indiana. There have only been six performances of 6+ steals by a Northwestern player over the past 20 years.
Martinelli tallied 18 points and six rebounds on 7-of-11 shooting.
Leach totaled 15 points and tied his career-high with seven assists, draining 3-of-7 attempts from beyond the arc. Leach recorded all 15 of his points in the second half. He became the first Northwestern player to have 15+ points, 7+ assists, and make 3+ threes in a game since March 2, 2024 when Boo Buie did so against Iowa.
Northwestern held Indiana to 42.1% (24-of-57) shooting from the field, marking the first time since Feb. 28-March 9, 2022 it has held three straight Big Ten opponents to under 43% shooting. The Wildcats forced the Hoosiers into 17 turnovers, Northwestern's most turnovers forced in a Big Ten game this season. Northwestern's 11 steals were its most in a Big Ten game since recording 13 against Nebraska on Jan. 20, 2024.
The Wildcats converted 13-of-27 (48.1%) of their 3-point attempts, their most made threes in a game since Jan. 31, 2024, against Purdue. Northwestern has scored 75+ points in three consecutive Big Ten games for the first time since Jan. 24-31, 2024.
As a team, the Wildcats are averaging 10.3 turnovers lost per game, which is the fewest in the Big Ten, and ranks 33rd fewest nationally.
Northwestern's defense is allowing an average of 68.2 points per game, which places fifth in the Big Ten. According to KenPom, Northwestern's defense ranks 29th nationally in adjusted efficiency and 39th in turnover percentage.
The Wildcats rank third in the Big Ten averaging 8.3 steals per game. Barnhizer ranks 13th in the nation posting 2.5 steals per game, while Berry's 1.5 steals per game is 10th best in the league.
Northwestern is averaging 11.3 offensive rebounds per game this season, which is the fifth most in the Big Ten.
Northwestern, which has won the last three games against Illinois in Evanston, is looking to win three consecutive games overall against the Fighting Illini for the first time since 1966-67. The Wildcats are seeking their first road win in Champaign since Jan. 17, 2013. The teams faced off earlier this season on Dec. 6, 2024, where Northwestern won 70-66 in overtime. Martinelli scored a game-high 27 points (23 in the second half and overtime), while Barnhizer contributed a double-double (17 points and 10 rebounds).
Illinois (13-6, 5-4 B1G) fell on its home floor to Maryland 91-70 on Thursday (Jan. 23) night. Kasparas Jakucionis leads the team averaging 16.2 points per game.
The Wildcats return to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. CT to host Rutgers. The game will air on Big Ten Network and WGN Radio 720.
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The Wildcats' (12-7, 3-5 B1G) offense features two of the Big Ten's top five scorers in junior Nick Martinelli (19.9, t-1st) and junior Brooks Barnhizer (18.5, 5th). Martinelli ranks 16th nationally in scoring, while shooting 50.4% from the floor (11th in B1G). He ranks fourth in the country in scoring by a forward, trailing Eric Dixon (24.7, Villanova), Maxime Raynaud (20.8, Stanford), Taje' Kelly (20.0, Charleston Southern). Martinelli is the only high-major player in the country averaging 19+ points per game on at least 50% shooting from the field. The Glenview, Ill. native has registered ten games of 20+ points this season, the most in a season by a Northwestern forward since John Shurna posted 18 such games in 2011-12.
Barnhizer is stuffing the stat sheet with 18.5 points (5th in B1G), 9.2 rebounds (3rd), 4.3 assists (10th), 2.5 steals (1st) and 1.2 blocks (10th) per game this season. He is one of only three Big Ten guards to average over nine rebounds per game over the last 54 seasons, joining Evan Turner (2009-10, Ohio State, 9.2) and Henry Wilmore (1970-71, Michigan, 9.8). Only two other players have posted single-season numbers of at least 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists and 2.5 steals per game since 1947-48: Larry Bird (Indiana State, 1976-77, 1977-78) and Ron Harper (Miami (OH), 1985-86.
Last time out, a 21-4 run propelled the Wildcats to their fifth straight victory over Indiana on Wednesday (Jan. 22) night in Evanston. Northwestern scored 54 second-half points, its most in a second half in Big Ten play since at least 2000, outscoring the Hoosiers 54-39 in the stanza.
The Wildcats' five consecutive wins against the Hoosiers is the longest win streak by Northwestern in series history since claiming five straight from 1913-15. The Wildcats had four players — graduate students Ty Berry and Jalen Leach, Barnhizer and Martinelli — score at least 15 points.
Coming off the bench for his third consecutive contest, Berry tied his season-high with 23 points, knocking down a career high 7-of-10 3-point attempts, while logging seven rebounds, and two blocks. His 23 points off the bench were the most by a Wildcat since Boo Buie scored 26 points against Michigan State on Dec. 18, 2019. Berry became the first Northwestern player to make 7+ threes while shooting at least 70% from beyond the arc since Scottie Lindsey did so on Feb. 25, 2018, against Iowa. Berry has scored in double figures in each of the last three games.
Barnhizer notched 21 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and a career-high six steals, shooting 8-of-14 from the field. He is the first Big Ten player since at least 1996-97 to post those numbers in a Big Ten game. Barnhizer's six steals were the most by a Wildcat since Jan. 8, 2023, when Chase Audige had six at Indiana. There have only been six performances of 6+ steals by a Northwestern player over the past 20 years.
Martinelli tallied 18 points and six rebounds on 7-of-11 shooting.
Leach totaled 15 points and tied his career-high with seven assists, draining 3-of-7 attempts from beyond the arc. Leach recorded all 15 of his points in the second half. He became the first Northwestern player to have 15+ points, 7+ assists, and make 3+ threes in a game since March 2, 2024 when Boo Buie did so against Iowa.
Northwestern held Indiana to 42.1% (24-of-57) shooting from the field, marking the first time since Feb. 28-March 9, 2022 it has held three straight Big Ten opponents to under 43% shooting. The Wildcats forced the Hoosiers into 17 turnovers, Northwestern's most turnovers forced in a Big Ten game this season. Northwestern's 11 steals were its most in a Big Ten game since recording 13 against Nebraska on Jan. 20, 2024.
The Wildcats converted 13-of-27 (48.1%) of their 3-point attempts, their most made threes in a game since Jan. 31, 2024, against Purdue. Northwestern has scored 75+ points in three consecutive Big Ten games for the first time since Jan. 24-31, 2024.
As a team, the Wildcats are averaging 10.3 turnovers lost per game, which is the fewest in the Big Ten, and ranks 33rd fewest nationally.
Northwestern's defense is allowing an average of 68.2 points per game, which places fifth in the Big Ten. According to KenPom, Northwestern's defense ranks 29th nationally in adjusted efficiency and 39th in turnover percentage.
The Wildcats rank third in the Big Ten averaging 8.3 steals per game. Barnhizer ranks 13th in the nation posting 2.5 steals per game, while Berry's 1.5 steals per game is 10th best in the league.
Northwestern is averaging 11.3 offensive rebounds per game this season, which is the fifth most in the Big Ten.
Northwestern, which has won the last three games against Illinois in Evanston, is looking to win three consecutive games overall against the Fighting Illini for the first time since 1966-67. The Wildcats are seeking their first road win in Champaign since Jan. 17, 2013. The teams faced off earlier this season on Dec. 6, 2024, where Northwestern won 70-66 in overtime. Martinelli scored a game-high 27 points (23 in the second half and overtime), while Barnhizer contributed a double-double (17 points and 10 rebounds).
Illinois (13-6, 5-4 B1G) fell on its home floor to Maryland 91-70 on Thursday (Jan. 23) night. Kasparas Jakucionis leads the team averaging 16.2 points per game.
The Wildcats return to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. CT to host Rutgers. The game will air on Big Ten Network and WGN Radio 720.
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