Northwestern men’s basketball’s 2025-26 season certainly left much to be desired. A 15-19 overall record, a 5-15 mark in conference play, and a year defined by waves of highs and lows. We saw a historic scoring campaign from Nick Martinelli, a roster filled with newcomers and constant lineup changes, inconsistent conference play and a deeper-than-expected Big Ten tournament run that ended with a third-round loss to Purdue. Amid everything, the Wildcats still produced several memorable moments: clutch
shots, breakout performances, momentum-shifting runs and feel-good victories over conference rivals. These accomplishments are worth savoring and building on as the ‘Cats turn the page to a new chapter.
Inside NU’s writers ranked the team’s top five moments from the 2025-26 season.
5. Jordan Clayton’s clutch three vs. Purdue
1 fifth-place vote; 2 third-place votes
Northwestern’s 70–66 loss to No. 15 Purdue was heartbreaking, but it still produced one of the season’s most electric moments. After NU was leading by nine at halftime, the Boilermakers stormed back in the second half, turning the game’s final minutes into a back-and-forth battle. With 1:33 remaining, some over-aggressive defense sent Purdue’s Braden Smith to the line, where he knocked down two free throws to put the Boilermakers up 65–63. Out of a timeout and down two, Northwestern’s ensuing possession appeared doomed as Purdue swarmed the paint and prevented the ‘Cats from finding a quality shot. As the shot clock was expiring, Jayden Reid dished a pass to Jordan Clayton in the right corner, who took two dribbles to his left and threw up a a long, tightly-contest three pointer with less than a second on a shot clock. And he drilled it, giving the ‘Cats a 66-65 lead and bringing Welsh-Ryan Arena to a frenzy on senior night.
4. Arrinten Page’s game-winner vs. South Carolina
2 fourth-place votes; 2 third-place votes
It was an up-and-down season for Arrinten Page, but he delivered several impact plays throughout the season. His game-winning layup against South Carolina was arguably Northwestern’s top highlight from its non-conference slate. The ‘Cats were in a battle with South Carolina, one defined by scoring spurts. After NU had seemingly found momentum with a 12-2 run, the Gamecocks responded with an 11-2 run of their own to even the score with less than two minutes remaining. A Martinelli basket and free throws from South Carolina tied the game again at 77-77, but the ‘Cats were left with the final possession in regulation.
Enter Arrinten Page. He received a pass from Martinelli, used his size to muscle inside and converted a layup with 0.8 seconds remaining on the clock to stamp a 79-77 victory for Northwestern.
3. Jordan Clayton raining down threes vs. Maryland
3 third-place votes; 1 second-place vote
Dubbed by many as “The Jordan Clayton Game”, the Medford native’s career-high 20-point, 6-0f-7 shooting from beyond the arc will always serve as one of the most exciting and feel-good moments from this past season. After two seasons at Northwestern where Clayton had been a team-first player — he had dropped his redshirt to play for the team after Jalen Leach and Brooks Barnhizer got hurt — Clayton got to be the hero against Maryland, spearheading the ‘Cats 78-74 win. It was the culmination of his hard work and development over the past two years as chants of “JORDAN CLAYTON” echoed throughout Welsh-Ryan Arena.
“The star of the night was Clayton,” head coach Chris Collins said postgame.
2. Big Ten Tournament win over Indiana
6 second-place votes; 1 third-place vote
Northwestern’s reasserted its dominance over Indiana with a 74-61 win in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament. As the No. 14 seed facing the No. 10 Hoosiers, the ‘Cats pulled off an upset through resilience and physicality on both ends. Inside NU’s Harris Horowitz described this as the “gutsiest win of the season,” as NU never stopped fighting, battling back from a ten-point deficit in the first half to take a 14-point lead in the second frame. Nick Martinelli put up 28 point, but also showcased defensive tenacity with three steals that helped contribute to the Wildcats’ 11 forced turnovers. Meanwhile, freshman Jake West tied his career-high with 18 points along with four assists and three rebounds. It was a gritty, complete team win that reflected Northwestern’s growth during the season. And of course, it’s always fun continuing to beat the Hoosiers.
1. Nick Martinelli’s game-winner vs. Oregon
10 first-place votes (unanimous)
For the second straight year, the unanimous top moment is a game-winner from Nick Martinelli. The Big Ten’s leading scorer could put together a sizable highlight reel of clutch plays, and this shot serves as a fitting final clip. With the ‘Cats trailing 62–61 against Oregon and under ten seconds remaining, Collins drew up a play that put the ball in Martinelli’s hands. He caught the inbounds pass from Reid, took a few dribbles to his right, ran into heavy traffic, then smartly pivoted around the defender and lofted a left-handed hook shot that bounced above the rim before dropping through the net with 1.8 seconds remaining. It was a signature Martinelli play, and a moment emblematic of his poise, toughness and unique scoring ability. This was Martinelli’s final game-winner at Welsh-Ryan, one of many that cemented his lasting legacy on Northwestern men’s basketball.
Honorable Mentions:
Northwestern’s 16-point second-half lead over Michigan (1 second-place vote)
Northwestern was up 16 points in the second half on the eventual NCAA Champions. That feat deserves a shoutout, as it proved how high the ‘Cats’ ceiling could have reached.
Jake West’s poster on Alvaro Folgueiras (1 second-place vote)
A monstrous dunk that indicated there is plenty more to come from Jake West as a Wildcat.
Martinelli’s final game (1 fourth-place vote; 1 fifth place vote)
Martinelli scored 25 points in Northwestern’s season-ending loss to Purdue. He finished the season with at least 20 points in 20 games, and reached double figures in 59 of his last 61 games
Tre Singleton and Angelo Ciaravino’s career-nights vs. Penn State (2 fifth-place votes).
Singleton became the first Wildcat since 2017 to post 17 points and 18 rebounds in a game, while Ciaravino earned a career-high 20 points off the bench on 9-of-12 shooting.
Gus Hurlburt’s career-game vs Cleveland State
Fan favorite Gus Hurlburt scored a career-high four points in a win against Cleveland State, earning his first made buckets since 2023.
Jake West not entering the transfer portal (1 fourth-place vote; 1 fifth place vote)
Amid a flurry of transfers departing Northwestern, it was both exciting and relieving see West announce that he’ll be back with the Wildcats next season.
