Northwestern University Athletics
Martinelli’s 24 Points, Leadership Extend Northwestern’s Season with Big Ten Tournament First Round Victory
3/11/2026 2:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CHICAGO — Senior forward Nick Martinelli realized that he could be playing his final collegiate basketball game in the hours leading up to No. 15-seed Northwestern's duel with No. 18-seed Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament first round. Martinelli didn't let his career come to a close, though, as he guided the Wildcats to a 76-66 victory.
"Obviously, I was super nervous before this game, knowing that it could be the last time," Martinelli said. "That senior urgency, it really hit different today."
The weight of potentially wrapping up his collegiate career didn't seem to affect the All-Big Ten Second Team honoree, as Martinelli registered game highs of 24 points and nine rebounds, while adding three assists and two steals on 10-of-17 shooting from the floor.
Unlike many games this season, where Martinelli does the lion's share of his scoring in the half court, the Glenview, Ill., native thrived in transition. Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins said that Martinelli becomes even tougher to contain when he's getting out on the open floor.
"I think Nick had at least 10 points tonight in transition, which makes it hard," Collins said. "In the half-court, they're just swarming him, double-teaming him every time. They're swarming his isolations."
Junior guard Jayden Reid, who tallied 14 points and tied the program's record for assists in a Big Ten Tournament game with nine, said that playing off of Martinelli was key to the victory.
"Coach preached before the game we're going to be open, take the right [shots], move the ball," Reid said. "Obviously, they're going to corral Nick whenever he gets it, so just be ready to shoot off of Nick."
While Martinelli's in-game display led the Wildcats to face No. 10-seed Indiana, his presence off the court as a leader has been critical to helping Northwestern's young players develop.
Early in the season, Collins challenged Martinelli to be a leader, and it proved to pay dividends on Wednesday night as many of the younger Wildcats thrived to keep the team's season alive. Three of Northwestern's first-years delivered key performances alongside Martinelli.
"We had a ton of guys step up today," Martinelli said. "It was great to see. … We have to all be connected as one to get a win like that. I thought we did that today."
First-year forward Tre Singleton came alive in the second half, finishing with nine points by getting downhill toward the basket. First-year guard Jake West, coming off a 14-point display in the regular season finale, notched eight points and five assists.
First-year forward Tyler Kropp came off the bench and posted six points and six rebounds. His defensive activity led to him tallying three steals. Kropp credited Martinelli for his growth throughout the season.
"He is the standard," Kropp said of Martinelli. "His story is just amazing. I look at that all the time, how he came in here with no expectations and became the player that he is. There's no secret to how he did it. He worked hard, followed the system. He's the standard, so we all just try to follow him."
A program legend, Martinelli has led the Big Ten in scoring in two consecutive regular seasons and set the top two program benchmarks in single-season points.
As Martinelli's career comes to a close shortly, his greatness has not gone unnoticed by those around him. And with Northwestern's season on the line, Martinelli produced yet again.
"He's definitely the head of the snake," senior guard Justin Mullins said. "It's just hard thinking about how much he means to the program. He's done so much for us, and he's brought us so many wins. I can't even put into words everything that he's done for us."
"Obviously, I was super nervous before this game, knowing that it could be the last time," Martinelli said. "That senior urgency, it really hit different today."
The weight of potentially wrapping up his collegiate career didn't seem to affect the All-Big Ten Second Team honoree, as Martinelli registered game highs of 24 points and nine rebounds, while adding three assists and two steals on 10-of-17 shooting from the floor.
Unlike many games this season, where Martinelli does the lion's share of his scoring in the half court, the Glenview, Ill., native thrived in transition. Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins said that Martinelli becomes even tougher to contain when he's getting out on the open floor.
"It's just us staying the course."
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) March 11, 2026
??? @N_Martinelli1 pic.twitter.com/MnL8GbsTbQ
"I think Nick had at least 10 points tonight in transition, which makes it hard," Collins said. "In the half-court, they're just swarming him, double-teaming him every time. They're swarming his isolations."
Junior guard Jayden Reid, who tallied 14 points and tied the program's record for assists in a Big Ten Tournament game with nine, said that playing off of Martinelli was key to the victory.
"Coach preached before the game we're going to be open, take the right [shots], move the ball," Reid said. "Obviously, they're going to corral Nick whenever he gets it, so just be ready to shoot off of Nick."
While Martinelli's in-game display led the Wildcats to face No. 10-seed Indiana, his presence off the court as a leader has been critical to helping Northwestern's young players develop.
Early in the season, Collins challenged Martinelli to be a leader, and it proved to pay dividends on Wednesday night as many of the younger Wildcats thrived to keep the team's season alive. Three of Northwestern's first-years delivered key performances alongside Martinelli.
"We had a ton of guys step up today," Martinelli said. "It was great to see. … We have to all be connected as one to get a win like that. I thought we did that today."
First-year forward Tre Singleton came alive in the second half, finishing with nine points by getting downhill toward the basket. First-year guard Jake West, coming off a 14-point display in the regular season finale, notched eight points and five assists.
First-year forward Tyler Kropp came off the bench and posted six points and six rebounds. His defensive activity led to him tallying three steals. Kropp credited Martinelli for his growth throughout the season.
See you tomorrow ?? pic.twitter.com/HemHw01tPt
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) March 11, 2026
"He is the standard," Kropp said of Martinelli. "His story is just amazing. I look at that all the time, how he came in here with no expectations and became the player that he is. There's no secret to how he did it. He worked hard, followed the system. He's the standard, so we all just try to follow him."
A program legend, Martinelli has led the Big Ten in scoring in two consecutive regular seasons and set the top two program benchmarks in single-season points.
As Martinelli's career comes to a close shortly, his greatness has not gone unnoticed by those around him. And with Northwestern's season on the line, Martinelli produced yet again.
"He's definitely the head of the snake," senior guard Justin Mullins said. "It's just hard thinking about how much he means to the program. He's done so much for us, and he's brought us so many wins. I can't even put into words everything that he's done for us."
Players Mentioned
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