Thursday, January 16
Evanston, Ill.
8 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
Maryland
Photo by: Griffin Quinn / Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Faces Maryland for First of Two Meetings on Thursday
1/15/2025 3:32:00β―PM | Men's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. β Northwestern men's basketball is set to host Maryland at 8 p.m. CT on Thursday, Jan. 16 inside Welsh-Ryan Arena, for the first of two meetings between the two teams this season. The matchup will air on Big Ten Network with Jeff Levering (play-by-play) and Stephen Bardo (analyst) calling the game, and on ESPN 1000 WMVP and SiriusXM Channel 84 with Dave Eanet (play-by-play) and Billy McKinney (analyst).
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Senior Brooks Barnhizer is eight points away from becoming the 42nd player in program history to reach the 1,000-point milestone. Barnhizer's streak of seven consecutive double-doubles earlier this season (11/29-1/2) is tied for the longest streak in the country this season. The streak is believed to be the longest by any Wildcat in program history, surpassing Evan Eschmeyer (6) in 1997. Barnhizer is averaging 18.0 points (7th in B1G), 9.3 rebounds (3rd), 4.3 assists (T-8th), 2.4 steals (1st) and 1.3 blocks (T-8th) per game. Since 1947-48, there have only been two players in college basketball to average at least 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block per game in a season: Ron Harper (Miami (OH), 1985-86) and Larry Bird (1976-77, Indiana State).
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The duo of junior Nick Martinelli (19.9) and Barnhizer (18.0) are one of two sets of high-major teammates in the country each averaging over 18 points per game this season. Both are averaging 18+ points and 5+ rebounds per game, something only seven other high-major players are doing.
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Martinelli is second in the conference in scoring and ranks 16th nationally while shooting 50.4% from the floor, which places 11th in the conference. He ranks third in the country in scoring by a forward. Martinelli is one of three high-major players averaging 18+ points per game and 5+ rebounds per game while shooting at least 50% from the field. He has scored 25+ points in five games this season, the most by a Northwestern forward since John Shurna had six such games in 2011-12.
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As a team, the Wildcats are averaging 9.8 turnovers lost per game, which is the fewest in the Big Ten and ranks 18th fewest nationally.
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Northwestern's defense is allowing an average of 66.9 points per game, which ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 62nd nationally. According to KenPom, Northwestern's defense ranks 34th nationally in adjusted efficiency and 33rd in steal percentage.
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Graduate student Jalen Leach is third on the team in scoring averaging 13.7 points per game. Graduate student Ty Berry is averaging 1.4 steals per game, which ranks 13th in the Big Ten. As a team, Northwestern ranks third in the league posting 8.5 steals per game.
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Last time out, the Wildcats were bested by No. 16 Michigan State 78-68 on Sunday (Jan. 12) at home. Martinelli scored 27 points, which came on 8-of-18 shooting from the field and a 9-of-12 mark from the free throw line. He became the fifth Wildcat since 2005-06 to score 25+ points against two ranked teams in a single season, which he also did against Illinois (Dec. 6). Martinelli led the Wildcats in scoring for the 10th time in his career.
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Leach logged 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists while knocking down 8-of-9 free throw attempts. Leach recorded career-bests in Big Ten play in points, rebounds, and free throws made. He has scored double-digit points in six of his last seven games. The performance marked Leach's most points in a game since Nov. 22, 2024, when he scored 21 against Pepperdine.
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Prior to this contest, Northwestern's last home loss to a ranked opponent had been against No. 5 Purdue on February 16, 2022. The loss snapped a streak of five consecutive wins at home against ranked opponents.
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The Wildcats (10-6, 1-4 Big Ten) were 16-1 inside Welsh-Ryan Arena in 2024, and are 8-1 at home during the 2024-25 season. The team's 8-0 start at home was its best home record to start a season since 2016-17 (8-0). Dating back to last season, Northwestern has won 23 of its last 26 home games.
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Northwestern trails the all-time series against the Terrapins (13-4, 3-3 Big Ten), 12-6. The Wildcats have won each of the last two games in the series and four of the last six and are looking to win three consecutive contests for the first time in series history. Northwestern defeated Maryland in both meetings last year. The first came on Jan. 17, 2024, with a 72-69 win inside Welsh-Ryan Arena, and the second was on the road on Feb. 28, 2024, with a 68-61 win.
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Derik Queen leads the Terrapins in scoring averaging 16.2 points per game and is second on the team in rebounding (7.8). Ja'Kobi Gillespie pours in 13.9 points per contest, while Julian Reese averages 12.6 points and 8.8 rebounds. Rodney Rice (12.2 points per game) and Selton Miguel (11.5) contribute double-digit scoring.
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Northwestern will travel to Ann Arbor to take on No. 20 Michigan on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 1 p.m. CT. The matchup will air on Big Ten Network and can be heard on WGN Radio 720.
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Senior Brooks Barnhizer is eight points away from becoming the 42nd player in program history to reach the 1,000-point milestone. Barnhizer's streak of seven consecutive double-doubles earlier this season (11/29-1/2) is tied for the longest streak in the country this season. The streak is believed to be the longest by any Wildcat in program history, surpassing Evan Eschmeyer (6) in 1997. Barnhizer is averaging 18.0 points (7th in B1G), 9.3 rebounds (3rd), 4.3 assists (T-8th), 2.4 steals (1st) and 1.3 blocks (T-8th) per game. Since 1947-48, there have only been two players in college basketball to average at least 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block per game in a season: Ron Harper (Miami (OH), 1985-86) and Larry Bird (1976-77, Indiana State).
Β
The duo of junior Nick Martinelli (19.9) and Barnhizer (18.0) are one of two sets of high-major teammates in the country each averaging over 18 points per game this season. Both are averaging 18+ points and 5+ rebounds per game, something only seven other high-major players are doing.
Β
Martinelli is second in the conference in scoring and ranks 16th nationally while shooting 50.4% from the floor, which places 11th in the conference. He ranks third in the country in scoring by a forward. Martinelli is one of three high-major players averaging 18+ points per game and 5+ rebounds per game while shooting at least 50% from the field. He has scored 25+ points in five games this season, the most by a Northwestern forward since John Shurna had six such games in 2011-12.
Β
As a team, the Wildcats are averaging 9.8 turnovers lost per game, which is the fewest in the Big Ten and ranks 18th fewest nationally.
Β
Northwestern's defense is allowing an average of 66.9 points per game, which ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 62nd nationally. According to KenPom, Northwestern's defense ranks 34th nationally in adjusted efficiency and 33rd in steal percentage.
Β
Graduate student Jalen Leach is third on the team in scoring averaging 13.7 points per game. Graduate student Ty Berry is averaging 1.4 steals per game, which ranks 13th in the Big Ten. As a team, Northwestern ranks third in the league posting 8.5 steals per game.
Β
Last time out, the Wildcats were bested by No. 16 Michigan State 78-68 on Sunday (Jan. 12) at home. Martinelli scored 27 points, which came on 8-of-18 shooting from the field and a 9-of-12 mark from the free throw line. He became the fifth Wildcat since 2005-06 to score 25+ points against two ranked teams in a single season, which he also did against Illinois (Dec. 6). Martinelli led the Wildcats in scoring for the 10th time in his career.
Β
Leach logged 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists while knocking down 8-of-9 free throw attempts. Leach recorded career-bests in Big Ten play in points, rebounds, and free throws made. He has scored double-digit points in six of his last seven games. The performance marked Leach's most points in a game since Nov. 22, 2024, when he scored 21 against Pepperdine.
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Prior to this contest, Northwestern's last home loss to a ranked opponent had been against No. 5 Purdue on February 16, 2022. The loss snapped a streak of five consecutive wins at home against ranked opponents.
Β
The Wildcats (10-6, 1-4 Big Ten) were 16-1 inside Welsh-Ryan Arena in 2024, and are 8-1 at home during the 2024-25 season. The team's 8-0 start at home was its best home record to start a season since 2016-17 (8-0). Dating back to last season, Northwestern has won 23 of its last 26 home games.
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Northwestern trails the all-time series against the Terrapins (13-4, 3-3 Big Ten), 12-6. The Wildcats have won each of the last two games in the series and four of the last six and are looking to win three consecutive contests for the first time in series history. Northwestern defeated Maryland in both meetings last year. The first came on Jan. 17, 2024, with a 72-69 win inside Welsh-Ryan Arena, and the second was on the road on Feb. 28, 2024, with a 68-61 win.
Β
Derik Queen leads the Terrapins in scoring averaging 16.2 points per game and is second on the team in rebounding (7.8). Ja'Kobi Gillespie pours in 13.9 points per contest, while Julian Reese averages 12.6 points and 8.8 rebounds. Rodney Rice (12.2 points per game) and Selton Miguel (11.5) contribute double-digit scoring.
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Northwestern will travel to Ann Arbor to take on No. 20 Michigan on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 1 p.m. CT. The matchup will air on Big Ten Network and can be heard on WGN Radio 720.
Players Mentioned
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