The final 16 minutes were a show in every sense of the word.
Northwestern men’s basketball faced Illinois State, a team projected to challenge for the top of the Missouri Valley Conference. The ‘Cats had
a solid but unspectacular first half and took a seven-point lead into the break. After three minutes and 27 seconds into the second half, NU was up by six against a scrappy and pesky Redbirds squad.
Then, the offense erupted. Northwestern went on a staggering 54-25 run over the final 16 minutes of the game. Tre Singleton knocked down several key buckets while Angelo Ciaravino, Nick Martinelli and Jayden Reid all made big plays as the lead swelled to 22 with 10 minutes remaining. Arrinten Page, who had seen limited minutes due to foul trouble, provided a huge spark, scoring nine points in roughly a minute. His performance underlined how vital he will be for the team, especially with the center position still one of the few spots without significant depth.
“We need AP to be better with his foul trouble. He cannot leave his feet,” Northwestern head coach Chris Collins said of Page. “I am still learning substitution patterns. It is nice to have a lot of options, but I want to make sure that I have enough size and shooting on the floor.”
The offense looked very different than it did against Iowa State, even if Illinois State was a weaker defensive team. Reid, back from injury, stood out with 11 points and 11 assists, pushing the pace and creating opportunities for teammates.
The ‘Cats also looked more like their usual selves in recent years by limiting turnovers to five compared to 17 in the first exhibition. Reid made a massive difference for Northwestern, running the offense as a true floor general and creating opportunities while controlling the tempo. Watching him in action, it was clear the team could reach another level with him orchestrating the offense.
“My speed works to my advantage,” Reid said. “Coach Collins wants me to push the pace. Pushing the tempo and getting defenders on their heels is huge.”
This roster is one of the deepest Collins has coached. The team is young and may face challenges on defense, but the number of players capable of standing out on any given night is remarkable.
“Guys do not really care what positions they are playing, and they are just happy to be out there,” Nick Martinelli said. “You will see a bunch of different lineups… That is part of being in this culture.”
The ‘Cats will likely be able to rely on Martinelli’s 20-plus points a night, but it may vary who stands out offensively. In this game, K.J. Windham was one of those players, scoring 12 points on four three-pointers. It was great to see him play with confidence after his limited seven minutes against Iowa State. Angelo Ciaravino also impressed, contributing 11 points and four rebounds. His athleticism has been a major factor, and it was a bit surprising to see the role he has taken so far. Many assumed the starting shooting guard spot would go to Windham or Max Green, but Ciaravino appears to have earned the nod. Coach Collins said that the starting lineup for the season will mirror this game, with Reid, Ciaravino, Singleton, Martinelli and Page taking the floor together.
There are still many players to highlight who may not have had their best games, but will contribute this season. Tre Singleton did not have his strongest showing, yet he does not play like a first-year, showing remarkable build and maturity. He has demonstrated the ability to create his own shot, knock down jumpers and play effectively in the post. Max Green is likely to emerge as one of the team’s top shooters and will be a key offensive option. I’ve already seen the ‘Cats run plays for him similar to those designed for Ty Berry and Ryan Langborg, creating open looks. Tyler Kropp, in the backup center role, has also shown his skill, particularly during the U19 FIBA World Cup this past summer. While his first two exhibition games were not his best, it is clear he brings talent and potential to the team.
Other contributors like Justin Mullins and Jordan Clayton will see meaningful minutes as well. The team’s depth at guard and wing is a major strength, while questions remain about the center position and defensive consistency as younger players continue to develop.
Despite these questions, the ceiling for this team is high. With the ability to rotate lineups and spread scoring across multiple players, the ‘Cats look poised to be competitive and fast-paced this season. Fans should be excited not only for the games but also for watching individual matchups unfold as different players step up.
The final exhibition against Illinois State offered a glimpse of what this team can accomplish. With a fast-paced offense, a variety of scoring options and emerging young stars, Northwestern appears ready to make the regular season a showcase of depth, talent and excitement. The regular season cannot come soon enough.
