Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Men's Basketball Big Ten Media Day Takeaways
10/9/2025 6:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ROSEMONT, Ill. — Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins and seniors Nick Martinelli and Justin Mullins represented Northwestern at Big Ten Media Day on Thursday, Oct. 9, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
The Wildcats kick off the 2025-26 season with a pair of exhibitions. The first comes on the road at Iowa State on Sunday, Oct. 26, followed by a home matchup with Illinois State on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. CT.
Northwestern's regular season will begin on Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. CT with a home tilt against Mercyhurst.
Here are four takeaways from the Wildcats' Media Day.
Northwestern enters the 2025-26 season with unparalleled roster turnover in recent years, with three transfers and five first-years entering the fold.
"You have eight new guys that are learning a new system and trying to find their way," Collins said.
The program brings in a first-year class that ranks second in the Big Ten, according to 247Sports, highlighted by the highest-ranked recruit in program history, first-year Tre Singleton.
In addition, Collins said that his coaching staff sought to address "real needs" through the transfer portal. He pointed to the team's need for a point guard, hence bringing in junior Jayden Reid, and a big man, hence obtaining junior Arrinten Page.
Collins also lauded sophomore Max Green for his size, physicality, and outside shooting ability.
"All three of those guys were guys we felt we really needed to get," Collins said. "We feel like all of them will be impact players for us and have an opportunity to have a big role on this year's team."
Collins added that a new era and core are emerging for the Wildcats. After players like Boo Buie, Brooks Barnhizer, Chase Audige, Matthew Nicholson, and Ty Berry have graduated, Northwestern is looking for its next core.
The team has fit well together on the court, aided by its time spent together away from the floor.
"A lot of the stuff we do off the court, just simply hanging out, spending time together, getting to know each other, those types of little things translate to on the court," Mullins said.
Collins said that he does not know who will be in his starting lineup outside of Martinelli. Because of that, each practice serves as a learning opportunity.
"Literally every day in practice, I've been mixing and matching lineups — putting new guys together, not just for them, but also for me," Collins said. "I'm trying to learn about this team, and what kind of team we want to start. How do we want to close? What guys play well together?"
Collins added that he feels like the team has "a lot of good players," noting that the team's depth is unrivaled compared to recent years. He alluded to the team's depth at the guard and wing positions specifically.
He said that he feels this year's squad could compare to the Michigan State team from last season, which led the Big Ten in conference wins.
"We have the opportunity to have more depth this year, which will be newer for me. We've always played a shorter bench," Collins said.
After years of playing with a slower offensive pace and heavy minutes for his top players, Collins feels that this year could mark a change in that trend.
Depending on the night, players' minutes will likely fluctuate given the vast talent on the team. Collins added that the competition for playing time will only improve the talent on the squad.
After a season where he became Northwestern's single-season all-time leading scorer with 676 points, Martinelli decided to test the NBA draft waters.
Ultimately, he decided to return to Evanston for his senior campaign after what he called a "humbling experience."
"I thought that I'd get a real look. I got the sense that I was kind of just there to be a sparring partner with those really high-level guys that both teams were looking at. That's definitely a humble experience, a motivating experience for me."
Ahead of the 2025-26 season, Martinelli was named to the Preseason All-Big Ten First Team. Last season, he led the conference in scoring with 20.5 points per game, the most in a year by a Wildcat since Evan Eschmeyer posted 21.7 points per game in 1997-98.
Martinelli is eyeing a return to the NCAA Tournament in his final year of eligibility. If he does so, he will become the first Wildcat to reach three NCAA Tournaments in program history.
"Legacy is important to me. Legacy is important to him. It's why he came back," Collins said.
Martinelli's on-court play will inevitably be important for Northwestern's success this season, but he also brings a level of leadership that is invaluable for the program.
"Nick is two feet in with what we're trying to do," Collins said. "He's trying to win, and I think the biggest thing for him is the leadership. Nick is one of those guys that he's a front-line soldier. He'll run through the wall for his team."
Collins admitted that he tends to "temper" himself with first-years, as the leap from high school basketball to the Big Ten is considerable.
However, he expressed confidence in Singleton to be an important player early in his collegiate career.
"I'd be surprised if he wasn't one of the more impactful freshmen, but that's going to be on him," Collins said. "It's a big jump, but he's going to be in position to have a big impact on our team this year."
Collins praised Singleton's body and physicality, saying that he is ready for Big Ten play. The Jeffersonville, Ind., native stands at 6-foot-8 and weighs in at 215 pounds.
Collins also said that he feels eager about the way that Singleton can play off of Martinelli, noting that they could have an exciting two-man game.
In addition, Singleton's teammates have taken notice of his high-level play.
"He's a really great freshman," Mullins said. "He loves the game. He puts in a lot of work, also. When you have that level of dedication as a freshman, it's scary. His ceiling is just so high, and we saw that since day one. I'm sure he's just going to continue getting better over time."
In two of the past three seasons, the Wildcats have reached the NCAA Tournament. Martinelli was on both the 2023 and 2024 squads, while Mullins was on the latter team after transferring from Denver.
In order to return to these heights during his final season, Martinelli has passed down his advice and knowledge to the younger players around him.
"Everything starts at the root, and I think the root of guys I've surrounded myself around in Northwestern's program that have been successful is just having that killer mentality," Martinelli said. "Practice might not be the sharpest at times, but we need to expect that it's going to be hard-nosed basketball every single day."
Both Martinelli and Mullins added that Northwestern's non-conference schedule, including matchups with Virginia, South Carolina, and Oklahoma State, will help prepare the team for Big Ten play during the latter part of the campaign.
In addition, both players feel that they want to help leave a legacy that continues after their final season at Northwestern. While the focus remains on making the NCAA Tournament this year, they hope to make that tradition continue for years down the line.
"When I leave here, I don't want that to be the last March Madness that we make," Martinelli said. "I want my kids to see Northwestern teams making March Madness. I want to see it myself. I want to be a true mentor to these kids that come in so that they can be mentors to those that follow them."
The Wildcats kick off the 2025-26 season with a pair of exhibitions. The first comes on the road at Iowa State on Sunday, Oct. 26, followed by a home matchup with Illinois State on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. CT.
Northwestern's regular season will begin on Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. CT with a home tilt against Mercyhurst.
Here are four takeaways from the Wildcats' Media Day.
- Northwestern's eight newcomers fitting right in
Northwestern enters the 2025-26 season with unparalleled roster turnover in recent years, with three transfers and five first-years entering the fold.
"You have eight new guys that are learning a new system and trying to find their way," Collins said.
The program brings in a first-year class that ranks second in the Big Ten, according to 247Sports, highlighted by the highest-ranked recruit in program history, first-year Tre Singleton.
In addition, Collins said that his coaching staff sought to address "real needs" through the transfer portal. He pointed to the team's need for a point guard, hence bringing in junior Jayden Reid, and a big man, hence obtaining junior Arrinten Page.
Collins also lauded sophomore Max Green for his size, physicality, and outside shooting ability.
"All three of those guys were guys we felt we really needed to get," Collins said. "We feel like all of them will be impact players for us and have an opportunity to have a big role on this year's team."
Collins added that a new era and core are emerging for the Wildcats. After players like Boo Buie, Brooks Barnhizer, Chase Audige, Matthew Nicholson, and Ty Berry have graduated, Northwestern is looking for its next core.
The team has fit well together on the court, aided by its time spent together away from the floor.
"A lot of the stuff we do off the court, just simply hanging out, spending time together, getting to know each other, those types of little things translate to on the court," Mullins said.
- Collins confident in team's depth
Collins said that he does not know who will be in his starting lineup outside of Martinelli. Because of that, each practice serves as a learning opportunity.
"Literally every day in practice, I've been mixing and matching lineups — putting new guys together, not just for them, but also for me," Collins said. "I'm trying to learn about this team, and what kind of team we want to start. How do we want to close? What guys play well together?"
Collins added that he feels like the team has "a lot of good players," noting that the team's depth is unrivaled compared to recent years. He alluded to the team's depth at the guard and wing positions specifically.
He said that he feels this year's squad could compare to the Michigan State team from last season, which led the Big Ten in conference wins.
"We have the opportunity to have more depth this year, which will be newer for me. We've always played a shorter bench," Collins said.
After years of playing with a slower offensive pace and heavy minutes for his top players, Collins feels that this year could mark a change in that trend.
Depending on the night, players' minutes will likely fluctuate given the vast talent on the team. Collins added that the competition for playing time will only improve the talent on the squad.
#B1GMediaDays, Roll the Tape ?? pic.twitter.com/fu2UrUYi0j
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) October 9, 2025
- Martinelli returns after testing draft waters
After a season where he became Northwestern's single-season all-time leading scorer with 676 points, Martinelli decided to test the NBA draft waters.
Ultimately, he decided to return to Evanston for his senior campaign after what he called a "humbling experience."
"I thought that I'd get a real look. I got the sense that I was kind of just there to be a sparring partner with those really high-level guys that both teams were looking at. That's definitely a humble experience, a motivating experience for me."
Ahead of the 2025-26 season, Martinelli was named to the Preseason All-Big Ten First Team. Last season, he led the conference in scoring with 20.5 points per game, the most in a year by a Wildcat since Evan Eschmeyer posted 21.7 points per game in 1997-98.
Martinelli is eyeing a return to the NCAA Tournament in his final year of eligibility. If he does so, he will become the first Wildcat to reach three NCAA Tournaments in program history.
"Legacy is important to me. Legacy is important to him. It's why he came back," Collins said.
Martinelli's on-court play will inevitably be important for Northwestern's success this season, but he also brings a level of leadership that is invaluable for the program.
"Nick is two feet in with what we're trying to do," Collins said. "He's trying to win, and I think the biggest thing for him is the leadership. Nick is one of those guys that he's a front-line soldier. He'll run through the wall for his team."
- Singleton to play key role as first-year
Collins admitted that he tends to "temper" himself with first-years, as the leap from high school basketball to the Big Ten is considerable.
However, he expressed confidence in Singleton to be an important player early in his collegiate career.
"I'd be surprised if he wasn't one of the more impactful freshmen, but that's going to be on him," Collins said. "It's a big jump, but he's going to be in position to have a big impact on our team this year."
Collins praised Singleton's body and physicality, saying that he is ready for Big Ten play. The Jeffersonville, Ind., native stands at 6-foot-8 and weighs in at 215 pounds.
Collins also said that he feels eager about the way that Singleton can play off of Martinelli, noting that they could have an exciting two-man game.
In addition, Singleton's teammates have taken notice of his high-level play.
"He's a really great freshman," Mullins said. "He loves the game. He puts in a lot of work, also. When you have that level of dedication as a freshman, it's scary. His ceiling is just so high, and we saw that since day one. I'm sure he's just going to continue getting better over time."
Talking Season ???
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) October 9, 2025
The guys are ready for #B1GMediaDays pic.twitter.com/qYyPYgBOvM
- Goal to return to NCAA Tournament remains
In two of the past three seasons, the Wildcats have reached the NCAA Tournament. Martinelli was on both the 2023 and 2024 squads, while Mullins was on the latter team after transferring from Denver.
In order to return to these heights during his final season, Martinelli has passed down his advice and knowledge to the younger players around him.
"Everything starts at the root, and I think the root of guys I've surrounded myself around in Northwestern's program that have been successful is just having that killer mentality," Martinelli said. "Practice might not be the sharpest at times, but we need to expect that it's going to be hard-nosed basketball every single day."
Both Martinelli and Mullins added that Northwestern's non-conference schedule, including matchups with Virginia, South Carolina, and Oklahoma State, will help prepare the team for Big Ten play during the latter part of the campaign.
In addition, both players feel that they want to help leave a legacy that continues after their final season at Northwestern. While the focus remains on making the NCAA Tournament this year, they hope to make that tradition continue for years down the line.
"When I leave here, I don't want that to be the last March Madness that we make," Martinelli said. "I want my kids to see Northwestern teams making March Madness. I want to see it myself. I want to be a true mentor to these kids that come in so that they can be mentors to those that follow them."
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
C
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballMen's Basketball - Illinois State Exhibition Postgame Press Conference (10/29/25)
Thursday, October 30
Men's Basketball - 'Cats Breeze by Redbirds in Exhibition, 100-65 (10/29/25)
Thursday, October 30
Men's Basketball - Collins, Martinelli, Singleton Preview Season Opener (10/28/2025)
Tuesday, October 28
Men's Basketball - Iowa State Exhibition Postgame Press Conference (10/26/2025)
Sunday, October 26
