'Cats Set for Indy Classic against Butler

Saturday, December 20

Indianapolis, Ind.

3 p.m. CT

Northwestern

Butler

'Cats Set for Indy Classic against Butler

12/19/2025 12:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball

By: Charlie Spungin, NUSports.com

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern men's basketball plays its fourth and final non-conference neutral site game on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 3 p.m. CT, taking on Butler inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game will air on Peacock with Noah Eagle (play-by-play) and Robbie Hummel (analyst) on the call, and can be heard on Varsity Network and SiriusXM Channel 389 with Dave Eanet (play-by-play) and Billy McKinney (analyst).

Last time out, the Wildcats (7-4, 0-2 Big Ten) won their second consecutive game, defeating Valparaiso, 86-70. Northwestern shot 54.1% (33-for-61) from the floor, its fourth consecutive non-conference game shooting at least 50% from the field. Senior forward Nick Martinelli logged 29 points and six rebounds on 12-of-19 shooting in just 30 minutes. The performance marked his 13th game of 25+ points since the start of last season, which leads the Big Ten. Junior forward Arrinten Page tallied 18 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while junior guard Jayden Reid posted 13 points and five assists with a game-high +17. First-year Tre Singleton added 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists.

Getting back to Northwestern ball ?? pic.twitter.com/StB05ZK1jX
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) December 17, 2025

Northwestern has made 50.5% of its field goal attempts (5th in Big Ten, 27th nationally), the highest percentage the team has shot over the season's first 11 games during the Chris Collins era. The Wildcats are scoring 82.6 points per game, the most through 11 games of a season since 1990-91. Northwestern has posted at least 70 points in each game this season, marking the first time the Wildcats have scored 70+ points in 11 consecutive games since Dec. 30, 1970-Feb. 27, 1971. It is the first time in program history that Northwestern has posted 70+ points in the first 11 games of a season.

The Wildcats have continued their steady, turnover-free basketball, turning the ball over a mere 9.5 times per game — the second-fewest in the Big Ten and the 14th-fewest nationwide — while posting a 1.93 assist/turnover ratio (2nd in Big Ten, 5th nationally). Northwestern is averaging 18.5 assists per game (6th in Big Ten, 31st nationally). Compared to previous years, Northwestern is playing at a faster pace and has averaged 14.6 fastbreak points per game (3rd in Big Ten).

Martinelli has scored in double figures in 36 of his last 37 games, and had a streak of 30 games, the longest by a Wildcat since Evan Eschmeyer (1997-99, 65). So far this season, Martinelli is averaging 21.9 points (2nd in Big Ten, 6th nationally) and 6.6 rebounds (15th in Big Ten) per game while converting 59.4% of his shot attempts (8th). Martinelli joins Zach Edey (2022-23, 2023-24) as the only Big Ten players to record these numbers in a season in the past 20 years. He is also the nation's second-most efficient 20-point per game scorer. Dating back to last season, Martinelli has 26 games with 20+ points, which leads the Big Ten. His eight games with 20+ points this season lead the conference, and his eight 20+ point, 5+ rebound games rank second in the nation. After scoring a program single-season record 676 points last season, Martinelli has tallied 917 points dating back to last season, which ranks third in the NCAA and is the most by a forward.

Transfer acquisitions Page and Reid have made an immediate impact for Northwestern. Page, who comes to Northwestern after stops at USC and Cincinnati, has averaged 15.4 points (20th in Big Ten), 7.1 rebounds (12th), 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks (17th) per game on 60.2% shooting (5th). He would be just the sixth player in NCAA history to post these numbers in a season. Page has reached double figures in eight straight games, and has scored the most points in a player's first 11 career games as a Wildcat (169) since at least 1996-97.

Coming from USF, Reid has posted averages of 11.6 points and 5.5 assists per game (5th in Big Ten). Reid has recorded 5+ assists in seven of his past 10 games. His 5.5 assists per game rank second in program history, trailing only Bryant McIntosh (6.7) in the 2015-16 season. He is having the eighth 5+ assist per game season in program history.

Sophomore guard Angelo Ciaravino is averaging career highs across the board with 7.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 59.6% from the floor. The Chicago native has tallied 10+ points three times in his last five games, and he recently became the first Northwestern underclassman to post consecutive 10+ point, 5+ rebound games since Martinelli from March 6-9, 2024. Ciaravino is the first Wildcat underclassman to average 7+ points, 3+ rebounds and 2+ assists since Bryant McIntosh (2015-16).

Singleton, the highest-ranked recruit in program history, is recording 7.3 points (12th among Big Ten first-years), 4.8 rebounds (T-4th), and 1.4 assists (11th) per game on 52.9% shooting. Singleton's 80 points through 11 games mark the most by a Wildcat first-year through his first 11 games at Northwestern since the 2019-20 season, when Ryan Young and Boo Buie both posted 116 points in their first 11 games (10.5 points per game).

The Wildcats will face the Bulldogs (8-3, 1-1 BIG EAST) for the second consecutive season, after falling 71-69 in Tempe, Ariz., last year. Northwestern leads the all-time series 16-12 and is looking to capture its first victory over Butler since 1984. The Wildcats have dropped seven straight contests against the Bulldogs. Collins is seeking his first-ever win against Butler.

The Bulldogs have two of the BIG EAST's top five leading scorers in Finley Bizjack (17.7, 2nd) and Michael Ajayi (16.5, 5th). Ajayi ranks fourth nationally with 11.5 rebounds per game. Butler's offense ranks third in the BIG EAST and 42nd nationally with 87.4 points per game. The Bulldogs' 42.1 rebounds per game rank atop the conference and 21st in the country.

Northwestern concludes its non-conference slate on Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 4 p.m. CT when it faces Howard at home inside Welsh-Ryan Arena. The game will air on Big Ten Network and WGN Radio 720.