Northwestern University Athletics
Wednesday, February 11
Evanston, Ill.
7:30 p.m. CT
Northwestern
10-15,2-12Big Ten
75
vs
87
#2 Michigan
23-1,13-1Big Ten
1
2
F
Michigan
35
52
87
Northwestern
44
31
75
NU’s Upset Bid Falls Short in 87-75 Loss to No. 2 Michigan
2/11/2026 11:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern led deep into the second half against No. 2 Michigan on Wednesday night in Welsh-Ryan Arena but couldn't complete the upset, falling 87-75.
"Really proud of our group. I thought we played great, competed, battled and fought," Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins said. "Obviously, they wore us down a bit in the second half. They can do that with their depth and their size. It's just a tough, tough loss."
The Wildcats (10-15, 2-12 Big Ten) constructed a 16-point advantage just over five minutes into the second half, the largest deficit the Wolverines (23-1, 13-1 Big Ten) have faced all season. However, a late surge lifted the visitors to a comeback win.
Senior forward Nick Martinelli tallied 18 points and eight rebounds. Joining Reid and Martinelli in double-figures, junior forward Arrinten Page posted 11 points, five rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
Defensively, Northwestern held Michigan to a 43.5% shooting percentage, its lowest in conference play and second lowest in 2025-26. The Wildcats forced the Wolverines into 12 turnovers.
Northwestern launched a 12-0 run midway through the first half to build a 29-17 lead with 10:05 remaining. By halftime, the Wildcats led 44-35, which marked Michigan's largest halftime deficit of the season.
Reid paced Northwestern's scoring effort early on with 12 first-half points. The junior made all five of his attempts in the opening frame. Martinelli added 11 first-half points and snared six rebounds.
The Wildcats shot 51.6% from the field in the initial 20 minutes while holding the Wolverines to a 35% first-half field goal percentage. NU forced Michigan into seven turnovers during the first half and limited the visitors to a 4-of-17 clip from 3-point range.
Although Northwestern carried over momentum into the second half — increasing its lead to 58-42 with 14:22 to play — the Wildcats' upper hand dwindled to 69-68 less than eight minutes later.
The Wolverines recaptured the lead with less than six minutes remaining and ultimately closed out their ninth straight victory.
"We just had some critical breakdowns," Collins said. "That's kind of the story when you have young guys. It happens, but it's a painful part of the process. We've just got to keep fighting, keep playing with that sense of urgency and that physicality."
The Wildcats will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 14, at Nebraska. The game is scheduled for noon CT on Big Ten Network and WGN Radio 720.
"Really proud of our group. I thought we played great, competed, battled and fought," Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins said. "Obviously, they wore us down a bit in the second half. They can do that with their depth and their size. It's just a tough, tough loss."
The Wildcats (10-15, 2-12 Big Ten) constructed a 16-point advantage just over five minutes into the second half, the largest deficit the Wolverines (23-1, 13-1 Big Ten) have faced all season. However, a late surge lifted the visitors to a comeback win.
Junior guard Jayden Reid recorded a game-high 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting and dished out three assists. He buried a pair of first-half 3-pointers.The Gelo Man ??
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) February 12, 2026
?? @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/vqcoNaOaak
Senior forward Nick Martinelli tallied 18 points and eight rebounds. Joining Reid and Martinelli in double-figures, junior forward Arrinten Page posted 11 points, five rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
Defensively, Northwestern held Michigan to a 43.5% shooting percentage, its lowest in conference play and second lowest in 2025-26. The Wildcats forced the Wolverines into 12 turnovers.
Northwestern launched a 12-0 run midway through the first half to build a 29-17 lead with 10:05 remaining. By halftime, the Wildcats led 44-35, which marked Michigan's largest halftime deficit of the season.
Reid paced Northwestern's scoring effort early on with 12 first-half points. The junior made all five of his attempts in the opening frame. Martinelli added 11 first-half points and snared six rebounds.
The Wildcats shot 51.6% from the field in the initial 20 minutes while holding the Wolverines to a 35% first-half field goal percentage. NU forced Michigan into seven turnovers during the first half and limited the visitors to a 4-of-17 clip from 3-point range.
Although Northwestern carried over momentum into the second half — increasing its lead to 58-42 with 14:22 to play — the Wildcats' upper hand dwindled to 69-68 less than eight minutes later.
The Wolverines recaptured the lead with less than six minutes remaining and ultimately closed out their ninth straight victory.
"We just had some critical breakdowns," Collins said. "That's kind of the story when you have young guys. It happens, but it's a painful part of the process. We've just got to keep fighting, keep playing with that sense of urgency and that physicality."
The Wildcats will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 14, at Nebraska. The game is scheduled for noon CT on Big Ten Network and WGN Radio 720.
Team Stats
Mich
NU
FG%
.435
.400
3FG%
.276
.240
FT%
.704
.929
RB
47
30
TO
12
8
STL
6
7
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
18
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
7
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
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