Northwestern Basketball Stuns Big Ten: Wildcats' Historic Upset Ignites March Madness Buzz

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern Wildcats men’s basketball wraps up its non-conference schedule on Tuesday, Dec. 30, when Chris Collins’ squad hosts the Howard Bison at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network, giving Wildcats fans one last 2025 look at a team that has become one of the Big Ten’s most intriguing offensive stories. The Wildcats enter at 7-5 overall and 0-2 in league play, having dropped a 61-58 heart-breaker to Butler in Indianapolis on Dec. 20. Despite the setback, Northwestern continues to rank among the conference leaders in scoring (80.6 ppg) and field-goal percentage (49.1 %), its best 12-game offensive start since 1989-90. Injuries remain the headline: All-America candidate Nick Martinelli (21.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 59.4 % FG) is listed day-to-day after missing the Butler game with a lower-body issue. If the junior forward can’t go, look for 6-10 transfer Arrinten Page (14.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg) to shoulder a larger load inside, while South Florida import Jayden Reid (11.8 ppg, 5.5 apg) orchestrates a backcourt that averages just 9.5 turnovers per night—second-fewest in the Big Ten. Howard (9-5) brings a defense that forces 15.9 turnovers per game and a dynamic scorer in Bryce Harris (19.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg). Tuesday marks only the second meeting between the programs; Northwestern won the first, 77-51, in 2007. The ’Cats are 25-2 at home versus non-league foes since 2022, a streak they hope to extend before diving back into the Big Ten gauntlet January 3 against Minnesota. Key search-friendly notes for fans: • Northwestern basketball tickets for the Howard game remain available through NUSports.com. • Live stream: BTN and Fox Sports app; radio: WGN 720 AM. • Parking opens two hours before tip; Welsh-Ryan Arena enforces a clear-bag policy. A win would not only give the Wildcats momentum heading into conference play but also reinforce their national reputation for efficient, up-tempo basketball—exactly the formula Collins believes can propel Northwestern back to March Madness in 2026.