Northwestern Announces 2025-26 Men's Basketball Big Ten Schedule
9/18/2025 3:01:00β―PM | Men's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. β The Northwestern men's basketball team has released its conference schedule for the 2025-26 season. The Big Ten slate features 20 games, starting with the conference opener on Wednesday, Dec. 3 on the road against Wisconsin. The Wildcats will host their Big Ten home opener on Saturday, Dec. 6 against Ohio State.
Β
Season tickets are available now. Northwestern will face Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue and Washington at home during the conference season.
Β
The regular season home finale will take place on Wednesday, March 4 at Welsh-Ryan Arena against Purdue. Northwestern will then wrap up the regular season on Saturday, March 7 at Minnesota.
Β
The 29th Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Tournament will be played March 10-15, 2026, at the United Center in Chicago, marking the first Big Ten Tournament to feature an 18-team field. The tournament will open on Tuesday, March 10 with a pair of games featuring the number 15-18 seeds. Wednesday's schedule will include four contests, as Tuesday's winners will join seeds 9-14 in second round action.
Seeds 5-8 will begin tournament play on Thursday, with the top four seeds slated to open their postseasons in Friday's quarterfinal round. The semifinal contests are scheduled for Saturday, with a champion crowned following Sunday's title game. CBS Sports will broadcast the semifinals and championship game on CBS for the 29th consecutive year, with those games also streaming live on Paramount+.
The 'Cats look to return to the NCAA Tournament in 2026 for the third time in four years under the leadership of Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins.
Β
Tip times and TV network assignments will be announced at a later date.
Β
Northwestern Men's Basketball Conference Schedule
Home games listed in BOLD
Β
Season tickets are available now. Northwestern will face Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue and Washington at home during the conference season.
Β
Slate is set ??
β Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) September 18, 2025
See you at Welsh-Ryan ?? pic.twitter.com/5e2v0BS2ae
The regular season home finale will take place on Wednesday, March 4 at Welsh-Ryan Arena against Purdue. Northwestern will then wrap up the regular season on Saturday, March 7 at Minnesota.
Β
The 29th Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Tournament will be played March 10-15, 2026, at the United Center in Chicago, marking the first Big Ten Tournament to feature an 18-team field. The tournament will open on Tuesday, March 10 with a pair of games featuring the number 15-18 seeds. Wednesday's schedule will include four contests, as Tuesday's winners will join seeds 9-14 in second round action.
Seeds 5-8 will begin tournament play on Thursday, with the top four seeds slated to open their postseasons in Friday's quarterfinal round. The semifinal contests are scheduled for Saturday, with a champion crowned following Sunday's title game. CBS Sports will broadcast the semifinals and championship game on CBS for the 29th consecutive year, with those games also streaming live on Paramount+.
The 'Cats look to return to the NCAA Tournament in 2026 for the third time in four years under the leadership of Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins.
Β
Tip times and TV network assignments will be announced at a later date.
Β
Northwestern Men's Basketball Conference Schedule
Home games listed in BOLD
| Date | Opponent | Location |
| Wed., Dec. 3 | Wisconsin | Madison, Wisconsin |
| Sat., Dec. 6 | Ohio State | Welsh-Ryan Arena |
| Sat., Jan. 3 | Minnesota | Welsh-Ryan Arena |
| Thu., Jan. 8 | Michigan State | East Lansing, Michigan |
| Sun., Jan. 11 | Rutgers | Piscataway, New Jersey |
| Wed., Jan. 14 | Illinois | Welsh-Ryan Arena |
| Sat., Jan. 17 | Nebraska | Welsh-Ryan Arena |
| Wed., Jan. 21 | USC | Los Angeles, California |
| Sat., Jan. 24 | UCLA | Los Angeles, California |
| Thu., Jan. 29 | Penn State | Welsh-Ryan Arena |
| Sat., Jan. 31 | Washington | Welsh-Ryan Arena |
| Wed., Feb. 4 | Illinois | Champaign, Illinois |
| Sun., Feb. 8 | Iowa | Iowa City, Iowa |
| Wed., Feb. 11 | Michigan | Welsh-Ryan Arena |
| Sat., Feb. 14 | Nebraska | Lincoln, Nebraska |
| Wed., Feb. 18 | Maryland | Welsh-Ryan Arena |
| Tue., Feb. 24 | Indiana | Bloomington, Indiana |
| Sat., Feb. 28 | Oregon | Welsh-Ryan Arena |
| Wed., March 4 | Purdue | Welsh-Ryan Arena |
| Sat., March 7 | Minnesota | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
Northwestern Men's Basketball Cooking Competition
Sunday, July 20
GRITTY AS IT GETS: Brooks Barnhizer Supercut π₯
Thursday, June 26
Men's Basketball - Chris Collins on B1G Today
Tuesday, April 08
Men's Basketball - Wisconsin Postgame Press Conference (3/13/25)
Thursday, March 13
