Wildcats Face No. 8 Nebraska in Second Straight Ranked Test

Saturday, January 17

Evanston, Ill.

3 p.m. CT

Northwestern

#8 Nebraska

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Wildcats Face No. 8 Nebraska in Second Straight Ranked Test

1/16/2026 2:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball

By: Charlie Spungin, NUSports.com

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern men's basketball plays its second consecutive ranked matchup with the first of two tilts this season against No. 8 Nebraska on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 3 p.m. CT. The game will air on Big Ten Network with Chris Vosters (play-by-play) and Brian Butch (analyst) on the call and can be heard on WGN Radio 720 and SiriusXM Channel 388 with Dave Eanet (play-by-play) and Billy McKinney (analyst).

Last time out, the Wildcats (8-9, 0-6 Big Ten) fell to No. 13 Illinois, 79-68, inside Welsh-Ryan Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Junior guard Jayden Reid posted a career-high 28 points, 20 of which came in the second half, converting 9-of-15 field goal attempts and 4-of-6 three-point attempts. Reid scored the most points off the bench by a Northwestern player since Dererk Pardon (28) on Dec. 30, 2015, against Nebraska. Senior forward Nick Martinelli recorded 20 points and four rebounds, while converting 8-of-8 free throw attempts. The Wildcats turned the ball over just seven times.

This season, Nick Martinelli ranks second in the nation averaging 23.8 points per game, while converting 57.3% of his field goal attempts (5th in Big Ten). The Glenview, Ill. native, is pulling down 6.6 rebounds per game (15th). Martinelli has scored 20+ points in eight straight games, making him the first Northwestern player to do so since at least 1996-97. This season, he has 13 games with 20 or more points, which leads the Big Ten and high-major players nationwide. Dating back to last season, he has 31 such games, which ranks second nationally. Over the last two seasons, Martinelli has scored 1,057 points, which ranks third nationally and the most by a forward.

Martinelli's 23.8 points per game would rank third in program history, trailing Dave Kelly in 1969-70 (24.3) and 1954-55 Frank Ehman (23.9).
Martinelli is the second player within the last 30 years to average 23+ points and 6+ rebounds on at least 57% shooting, joining Zach Edey (Purdue) in 2023-24.
Over his last eight games, Martinelli is averaging 27.9 points per game.
Last season, Martinelli set program records in single-season points (676) and single-season field goals made (251).

The Wildcats have continued to share the ball without turning it over, as their 2.15 assist-to-turnover ratio leads the nation. Northwestern is averaging the nation's fewest turnovers (8.4), while dishing out 18.0 assists per game — ranking 26th in the country.

Northwestern's +3.3 turnover margin ranks third in the Big Ten and 38th nationally.
The Wildcats are forcing opponents to shoot 29.7% from beyond the arc, the 29th-best three-point defense in the nation.
Northwestern has upped its pace this season, averaging 14.1 fast break points per game — ranking third in the Big Ten and 67th nationally.
The Wildcats have played seven games decided by five points or fewer, which leads the Big Ten. Over the past four seasons, Northwestern has played 42 such games, which also leads the conference and ranks tied for sixth nationally.

Northwestern's offense has been prolific through the first half of the 2025-26 campaign, averaging 78.5 points per game, its most since 1970-71 (81.6). The Wildcats' 47.3 field goal percentage ranks fourth in program history and is its best since the 1997-98 season (47.4%). The team's 18.0 assists per game are the most in program history.

Junior forward Arrinten Page is averaging 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds (19th in Big Ten), 2.3 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 57.7% (4th) from the floor. Reid has averaged 11.9 points and 5.5 assists per game (4th in Big Ten). His 5.5 assists per game would rank second in program history, trailing only Bryant McIntosh (6.7) in 2015-16.

First-year forward Tre Singleton has 14 starts this season (3rd on team) and is averaging 7.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. His 7.0 points per game are the most by a Wildcat first-year since the 2019-20 season (Boo Buie: 10.3, Ryan Young: 9.0).
Sophomore guard Angelo Ciaravino has posted career-highs across the board with 6.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game on 53.8% shooting.

Northwestern leads the all-time series against the Cornhuskers (17-0, 6-0 Big Ten), 14-11. The Wildcats have won eight of the last 10 matchups, while also grabbing victories in six of the last seven games inside Welsh-Ryan Arena. Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins is 12-7 against Nebraska. When the teams faced off last season on Feb. 16, 2025, Northwestern suffered a narrow defeat, 68-64. Nick Martinelli and Ty Berry both scored 23 points.

The Cornhuskers are off to their best start in program history and are one of three teams nationally that are undefeated. Nebraska's No. 8 rank in the AP Poll is tied for its highest-ever rank in the poll's history.

Nebraska is holding opponents to 65.8 points per game (3rd in Big Ten, 23rd nationally) and 38.6% shooting (2nd in Big Ten, 11th nationally).
The Cornhuskers lead the Big Ten and rank 15th nationally with 10.9 three-pointers per game.
Nebraska ranks second in the Big Ten, trailing only Northwestern, with 9.3 turnovers per game.
The Cornhuskers have four players averaging over 10 points per game: Pryce Sandfort (16.4), Rienk Mast (15.5), Braden Frager (12.3), and Jamarques Lawrence (10.2).
Last time out, Nebraska matched its season high with 17 3-pointers in a 90-55 rout of Oregon.

Northwestern travels to the West Coast to take on USC on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Tipoff is set for 10 p.m. CT. on Big Ten Network and WGN Radio 720.