After two exhibition games, the Inside NU staff predicts Northwestern’s season before games officially begin on Monday.
Charlie Jacobs: 19-12 (10-10 B1G) — Sweet 16
MVP: Tre Singleton
MIP: Angelo Ciaravino
Most Impactful Newcomer: Tre Singleton
After going in person to the Iowa State exhibition game, Northwestern held its own against one of the nation’s best teams. If this team can make the tournament, a few upsets in the first weekend could easily be obtained. Obviously, Nick Martinelli is the guy for this team. However, I think Tre Singleton will be the star. Singleton looked like he belonged out there against the No. 16 team in the country in his first-ever college basketball game. Yes, the losses of Brooks Barnhizer, Jalen Leach, Ty Berry and Matthew Nicholson do hold their own weight, but Chris Collins revamped this roster. Angelo Ciaravino reportedly put on 15 pounds of muscle, as Collins said in his post-game press conference following the Iowa State exhibition loss. Also, he was missing his top two ball handlers in Jayden Reid and Jake West. NU was running a nine-man rotation without these two guys. While it is only one game and just an exhibition, the caliber of the opponent, combined with the eye test, makes me think that this season will be special. Not to mention, the three-point shooting seemed to be something heavily improved upon. The only thing that is worrisome is that the rest of the conference got better as well and six teams will start the season ranked in the AP Poll with six others getting votes (NU didn’t get any votes). I’m betting on the upside and the ceiling of this team.
Patrick Winograd: 17-14 (8-12 B1G) – First Four Out
MVP: Nick Martinelli
MIP: KJ Windham
Most Impactful Newcomer: Jayden Reid
I think Northwestern has a better team on paper than it did last season, especially if the Wildcats can stay healthier this season than they were last season. Unfortunately, multiple teams in the rest of the conference also got a whole lot better, meaning Northwestern’s improvement will likely be negated by opponents improving as well. In the 2024-25 season, the Wildcats went 1-7 in games against ranked conference opponents, and with the top of the conference arguably getting even better this season, it’s hard to envision the ‘Cats faring any better in those games this season. Northwestern will float around the bubble for most of the season, but probably won’t be able to stack up enough quality wins to make it to the big dance.
Ascher Levin: 19-12 (9-11 B1G) – Round of 64
MVP: Nick Martinelli
MIP: KJ Windham
Most Impactful Newcomer: Tre Singleton
After an injury-riddled campaign last year that kept Northwestern out of the NCAA Tournament, the ‘Cats enter this season with a much different look. The roster features eight new players, giving the team a sense of renewal and depth. Leading the way is Nick Martinelli, the Big Ten’s reigning leading scorer, who will once again anchor the offense and set the tone for the team. With few key returners, K.J. Windham stands out as the player most likely to take a significant leap. He showed flashes of potential last season and will look to build on that consistency this year. Among the newcomers, I had a tough time choosing who might make the biggest impact, but I’m going with first-year forward Tre Singleton. I believe he will emerge as the team’s second-leading scorer and a major contributor on both ends of the floor. Point guard Jayden Reid will also play a vital role by bringing leadership and stability to the backcourt. Northwestern faces several challenging non-conference matchups, but all appear winnable. The Big Ten schedule will, as always, be demanding, yet the ‘Cats benefit from drawing Nebraska and Minnesota twice. With improved health, strong leadership and an influx of promising talent, Northwestern has the potential to surprise many this season.
Yanyan Li: 19-12 (10-10 B1G) — NCAA tournament First Four
MVP: Nick Martinelli
MIP: K.J. Windham
Most Impactful Newcomer: Tre Singleton
More so than how much better/worse Northwestern is compared to last season, is how different its identity is. While last season’s Brooks Barnhizer-led team was known for its bully ball, gritty defensive play and stretches of poor offensive output (especially from the three-point line), this won’t be the case in 2025-26. The ‘Cats guard room is overflowing with both new and returning talent, while there are questions about the depth in the paint. However, I do ultimately think the gains/losses add up to a team that’s better than it was last season — if it stays healthy, that is, which hasn’t happened in the past two years. New center Arrinten Page has gotten into foul trouble but showed signs of potential in recent exhibitions, while players like Jayden Reid, Tre Singleton and Max Green are showing potential. My prediction is that Northwestern will do just enough to go dancing.
Miguel Muñoz: 19-12 (9-11 B1G) — Round of 64
MVP: Nick Martinelli
MIP: Angelo Ciaravino
Most Impactful Newcomer: Arrinten Page
Making the tournament after losing quite a few big pieces from a team that didn’t even make the tournament might feel like a stretch, I know. But I have faith, with one condition: the injury bug doesn’t strike the ‘Cats this time around. Of course, that’s impossible to predict, but I’ll go ahead and guess NU is dealt a bit of good karma after a tough 2024-25. Nick Martinelli returns as the superstar to a much deeper team, but will need to learn to also step up as a vocal leader in the locker room. Most of my colleagues are picking K.J. Windham for most improved, and rightly so, but I’m going to go outside of the box and pick fellow sophomore Angelo Ciaravino. The athleticism is clearly there, and his coaches have talked nonstop about the muscle he’s added in the offseason. And after the exhibition against Iowa State, I’m becoming convinced; it looks to be all coming together for the Chicago native. As for the new kids on the block, I’ll take big man Arrinten Page, who also impressed me in Sunday’s scrimmage, not just on the block but also with his touch from the outside. He might not be Wemby, but Page is a very clearly talented big on all three levels (and defensively) and is ultimately a clear upgrade from the lacking offensive presence in the front court that the ‘Cats have experienced in recent years.
Kevin Lu: 19-12 (10-10 B1G) —- Round of 64
MVP: Nick Martineli
MIP: K.J. Windham
Most Impactful Newcomer: Max Green
With great recruitment and depth revamp, I believe this is a tournament team—not just because it could’ve made it last year without injuries, but because it genuinely is better. That said, don’t expect a deep run. Northwestern made the Big Dance for the first time eight years ago, so tempering expectations makes sense. Martinelli and Windham as MVP and MIP feel obvious. What excites me is Max Green’s impact. Northwestern shot 33.3% (12th in the Big Ten) from three and made just 222 (15th in the Big Ten) last season — pretty mid. Green can elevate that. His buzzer-beater in the exhibition at Iowa State showed something special: the ability to find space and create shots. Let’s see how he surprises us.
Donovan West: 18-13 (8-12 B1G) — First Four Out
MVP: Nick Martinelli
MIP: KJ Windham
Most Impactful Newcomer: Jayden Reid
Two factors will determine how far Northwestern goes this season: injury luck and the progression of players around Nick Martinelli, the reigning Big Ten scoring leader. Martinelli will give the ‘Cats 20 points on good shooting efficiency every night, but Northwestern will need players to step up around its superstar as they look to replace the production of so many key contributors from last season’s team. The addition of Jayden Reid should prove invaluable as a steadying force in the backcourt for the ‘Cats, as his handle and shooting ability fit the Big Ten’s physical style of play. KJ Windham is a guy who could take a big leap in his sophomore season as he’ll be asked to do much more on both ends of the floor. If Reid, Windham, and other depth pieces on the roster can give Martinelli support, then the ‘Cats could be a real sleeper in an incredibly talented Big Ten. However, it’s asking a lot out of a roster full of unproven players; I think the Big Ten is too much of a gauntlet, and the ‘Cats fall short of an NCAA Tournament berth.
Drew Christmann: 19-12 (9-11 B1G) – Round of 32
MVP: Nick Martinelli
MIP: Angelo Ciaravino
Most Impactful Newcomer: Max Green
Despite what the national media may tell you, this Northwestern team is a force to be reckoned with. Bringing in an almost completely new squad, it makes sense why some may not take these Wildcats seriously at face value, but many of the newcomers have already shown they’re ready to play at a high level. That was evident in the exhibition win over Illinois State — a solid mid-major — beating them by nearly 40, and then staying neck-and-neck with No. 16 Iowa State in the AP preseason poll.
A player to watch — outside of Tre Singleton — is Holy Cross transfer Max Green. Last season with the Crusaders, Green averaged 14.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 38% on 5.9 attempts from 3, earning Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors. In his debut with the ’Cats, Green showed impressive shot-making in a larger role, including a ridiculous buzzer-beater that put Northwestern up three at halftime.
With Green’s gravity, the floor will be opened up for Martinelli, Singleton and company to generate high-percentage looks at the rim.
The Big Ten is tough, with Purdue, Michigan and UCLA headlining. But the opportunity is there for the ’Cats to make their way back to the tournament — with a clean bill of health.
Calvin Kaplan: 18-13 (8-12 B1G) – Last Four In, lose in Round of 64
MVP: Nick Martinelli
MIP: Angelo Ciaravino
Most Impactful Newcomer: Jayden Reid
This Wildcat squad will likely sit on the bubble all season long, making it very possible that fans have an agonizing wait on Selection Sunday as they await confirmation of NU’s NCAA Tournament status. However, this year’s team has a wide range of outcomes, with an arguably higher ceiling than 2024-25 but a lot of risk as well. If transfer center Arrinten Page can stay out of foul trouble and eat up minutes for the ‘Cats, I think they’ll be able to get some big-time conference wins behind a revamped group of scorers and their classic stifling defense. Still, while there is depth and length at the guard position, Northwestern is very thin in the post, making it an injury or two away from falling short of March Madness.
Adam Sutro: 18-13 (8-12 B1G) – First Four Out
MVP: Nick Martinelli
MIP: K.J. Windham
Most Impactful Newcomer: Arrinten Page
Ultimately, it’s really hard to predict what this team is going to look like on the court because there was so much turnover in the offseason. Though I do believe that the talent of newcomers like Tre Singleton, Jake West, and Max Green can propel this team to a middle of the B1G finish and a tournament appearance, there is also the possibility that these guys don’t mesh well together, or have trouble adjusting to the physicality of Big Ten basketball. So, I’m taking a safe prediction and saying that the ‘Cats land somewhere in the middle, fighting hard in Big Ten play but ending up right outside the tournament at 18-13. This team is long, quick, and physical and that will result in a very good defensive unit. However, when it matters most, they’ll struggle to find points, leaning on Martinelli a little too much. In a rebuild year the ‘Cats make progress, setting them up for a BIG 2026-27 season.
Sai Trivedi: 20-11 (10-10 BIG) – NCAA tournament first round
MVP: Nick Martinelli
MIP: K.J. Windham
Most Impactful newcomer: Tre Singleton
I agree with Adam that the roster turnover will take time to adjust to, as cohesion and chemistry are paramount to success in the ruthless Big Ten. But the ‘Cats aren’t strangers to it – even last season, the injuries to Barnhizer and Leach prompted a new starting lineup and different rotation. The depth on this team also cannot be overlooked, as the new transfers in Singleton, Max Green, Jake West and Jaylen Reid will all have opportunities to make a tangible impact and showcase why NU fans are so bullish on this incoming class. After another offseason of growth for Martinelli, I expect him to elevate his game to a new level this season and challenge the conference and country’s best. It’ll be enough for NU to make the NCAA tournament and finish with an even .500 conference record, a sign of growth for a program on the rise.
