Northwestern Men’s Basketball: 2025 Big Ten Media Days Insights
The Wildcats are just weeks away from starting their 2025-26 season opener at home against Mercyhurst. This year, the team welcomes eight new players, marking a significant shift in Chris Collins’ lineup. Yet, despite the roster changes, the core goals and ambitions remain steadfast. Yesterday, head coach Collins joined senior forward Nick Martinelli and senior guard Justin Mullins at the Big Ten Media Days in Rosemont, sharing their thoughts on the upcoming season. Here’s a detailed look at what they had to say.
Note: Quotes have been edited for clarity and conciseness.
Martinelli on Purdue’s Dynamic Duo, Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn:
“They’re incredible talents. I had the chance to play a little with Braden this offseason, and honestly, he’s outstanding—top-tier. If I had to pick one player in the country, it’d be Braden Smith hands down. Trey is an excellent second option too—don’t underestimate him.”
Mullins’ Take on Smith and Kaufman-Renn:
“I completely agree with Nick—both guys bring tremendous value to their team. For me, Braden Smith stands out because of how he leads on the court; his impact is undeniable.”
Martinelli Explains His New Mustache:
“Honestly, it just happened. One morning in the shower, I wondered what to do differently, and decided to grow a mustache.”
Mullins on Building Team Chemistry with Newcomers:
“This offseason was about building bonds both on and off the court. Spending casual time together, hanging out, getting to know each other—that chemistry translates directly into how well we play. We’ve been welcoming the new guys into our culture, showing them who we are. That connection is crucial.”
Martinelli Highlights Most Impressive Newcomer:
“For adding value, especially in the post, we really needed a big presence from the transfer portal. Arrinten Page (AP) has been phenomenal. His athleticism and energy stand out. Every time I’m driving to the basket, I look around for him because he’s always there, hustling. It’s a credit to how much effort he put into the offseason and how well he’s taken coaching from Justin, me, and the staff.”
Mullins on Freshman Tre Singleton – Northwestern’s Highest-Rated Recruit Ever:
“He’s shown great promise as a freshman—solid, hardworking, and passionate about the game. His dedication at such an early stage is impressive and scary in a good way because his potential is enormous. He accepts coaching and constructive criticism well. I’m confident he’ll keep climbing and have a bright future.”
Martinelli on His Offseason Work:
“The offseason was intense. We didn’t finish as early as we wanted, so it was a continuous grind. I took about a week off after the season to prepare for the pre-draft process. I really wanted to showcase my skills at those workouts. Afterward, it was back to getting ready for this season—expanding my game little by little, improving conditioning because I expect a similar workload this year. I’m motivated because I believe this team has tremendous potential.”
On Pre-Draft Workouts – Lessons Learned by Martinelli:
“It was a humbling experience. Coming off a strong season, I thought I’d make a bigger splash. But it quickly became clear I was there mainly to spar with top-tier prospects. That realization was eye-opening—it reminded me how much work is still ahead, especially improving three-point shooting and defense. Still, it was a dream come true to step into NBA facilities and wear a practice jersey.”
Martinelli on Possibly Showing Off a Windmill Dunk in Games:
“No promises, but I’ll definitely give it my all to pull it off.”
Using Humbling Moments as Fuel for Growth:
“Sports are all about humbling moments; without them, you don’t grow. But my biggest motivation comes from teammates like Justin, who transferred and worked incredibly hard to improve. Many on this squad have felt underrated at times, whether in recruiting or transfers. That chip on our shoulders drives us every day.”
Mullins on Replacing Lost Perimeter Scoring:
“It’s not about one individual stepping up but about everyone stepping up collectively. We all understand the gap left by last season’s players and know that success means increasing our contributions. No one can replace those shoes perfectly, but we adapt and embrace our roles.”
Martinelli on His Evolving Role as a Leader:
“Last year, I was still figuring out my place alongside players like Brooks Barnhizer. Now, I’m in a leadership position where guys look to me for guidance. I focus more on what the team needs, offering advice when asked. I’ve learned a great deal from former leaders like Boo, Robbie, and Ty, and I want to pass that on.”
Martinelli on Angelo Ciaravino’s Improvement:
“Angelo has made huge strides through summer and fall. Justin can back that up—we worked out together a lot. Despite early morning grind sessions, Angelo’s dedication has been impressive and will definitely pay off this season.”
Mullins on His Focused Improvements:
“Offensively, I worked hard on my shooting, especially from three-point range. Last year, I felt I left some shots open and took that personally. Becoming a reliable, catch-and-shoot threat has been my main goal.”
Martinelli’s Reaction to Being Picked 15th in Big Ten Preseason Poll:
“That was news to me. We’ve been predicted to finish low every year, and honestly, numbers like that fuel my motivation. But ultimately, our drive comes from within and from seeing the hard work our teammates and coaches put in every day—not from rankings or predictions.”
On Maintaining Defensive Standards After Losing Key Players:
“Coach Collins and our assistants constantly remind us that defense is our foundation. Without it, we fall apart. We’re focused on ensuring everyone is up to speed defensively, building that solid base.”
Mullins on Addressing Rebounding Concerns:
“With new freshmen and transfers like AP, we’ve added strong rebounders. Players like Jayden Reed are aggressive defenders. Once everyone adjusts to our defensive schemes, we should be able to hold our own on the boards.”
Martinelli Reflects on Brooks Barnhizer’s Draft Day:
“That day was emotional for everyone close to him. Having grown up and played alongside him, seeing his joy after all he’s endured was incredible. His perseverance—fighting for every ball, every rebound—is inspiring. Honestly, his being drafted didn’t surprise me at all; I was thrilled to see it happen.”
Martinelli on Leadership Lessons from Buie and Barnhizer:
“I learned a lot by watching how they lead. They’ve spent so much time with me, sharing advice and insights, even about the draft process. Boo, in particular, really helped me grow as a leader.”
Mullins on Expectations for Younger Guards:
“We’ve seen promising development from KJ Windham, Jayden Reid, and Jordan Clayton. Our philosophy isn’t about one player dominating, but about a strong, cohesive backcourt where everyone handles the ball well, shoots accurately, and makes smart plays.”
Martinelli on the Importance of Upcoming Greenbrier Invitational:
“Playing against quality teams like Virginia and South Carolina before Big Ten play will be invaluable. It’s a chance to understand how we handle adversity, mistakes, and in-game pressure—especially for our eight new players.”
Mullins Agrees:
“Absolutely. It’s a crucial test before conference play begins, giving us a clear idea of where we stand.”
Martinelli on the Mentality to Return to March Madness:
“Everything begins with a strong foundation. For us, that foundation is a killer mentality—tough, physical basketball every day in practice. I love the physicality of competing and playing hard. Even if we aren’t the biggest team, our energy and willingness to battle for rebounds defines who we are.”
Mullins On the Same Goal:
“We’re teaching our teammates to be fierce competitors—that was the key to our previous March Madness appearances. Nick and I aim to keep that culture alive and lead these new players so we can get back there.”
Martinelli’s Most Anticipated Game:
“I’m really just excited about practice, believe it or not. But if I had to pick, the Iowa State exhibition game stands out. We’re all pumped to hit the court. As seniors, we’re taking it day by day and savoring every moment.”
Mullins’ Pick:
“For me, it’s the Oklahoma State game at the United Center. Being from the Chicagoland area, playing there is a childhood dream. It’s a special opportunity for my senior year.”
Martinelli on the Legacy He Wants to Leave:
“I want to uphold the values that got us to March Madness when I arrived, so we don’t just make it once but become a regular. I hope my future kids see Northwestern in the tournament consistently. I want to be a real mentor for the younger players, just like the leaders before me were for me. Our coaches are incredible, and the locker room culture and brotherhood here are truly unique.”
Mullins on Legacy:
“We want to build a program that makes March Madness year after year, not just a one-time event. Maintaining that culture is a huge goal for us.”
Martinelli on Workload Commitment:
“I'm focused on doing my job no matter what—whether it’s 40 minutes or just a few, every minute on the court, I’ll give my all.”
On Choosing to Stay at Northwestern Instead of Transferring:
“Coach often talks about the transfer portal’s uncertainty. I wanted a place to call home. Northwestern has developed me not just as a player but as a person, and the daily expectations here push me. If I had left, who knows where I’d be. Justin understands the challenge of fitting in as a transfer. Staying here has been the best decision.”
Mullins on Tyler Kropp’s Competitive Edge from FIBA U19 World Cup:
“That experience brought great competitiveness to practice. Tyler’s intensity and motor are his biggest assets, which will help him as a freshman.”
Mullins on His Media Day Suit:
“Big shoutout to the Suit Supply on Rush Street in Chicago.”
Martinelli on His Suit Story:
“I called Gus Hurlburt after realizing I’d torn my suit pants. He hooked me up right away. So shoutout to Gus!”
Martinelli’s Anticipation for Game Action:
“The first few minutes of a game are full of nerves and excitement. You wonder how all the practice will translate. Getting out there and adapting is a huge relief.”
Mullins on Game Day Excitement:
“After about 30 practices, you just want to compete against other teams, not just your own teammates. We’re really looking forward to the Iowa State game as the ultimate benchmark.”
Collins on Extending His Coaching Contract:
“I reflect on the program, my personal goals, and family changes every year. Now that my kids are grown, legacy means a lot. Northwestern feels like my baby; I’m passionate about building this program and wasn’t ready to leave.”
Collins on Contract Details:
“The focus was aligning resources competitively with peer programs—facilities are excellent, but investing properly in staff and players is essential. Our leadership, especially Mark Jackson and the board, has been tremendous. We’re determined to keep progressing and had honest conversations about what it takes.”
Collins on the Team’s Current State:
“We’re mostly healthy and have great attendance in practice. It’s a unique team with eight new players learning our system and returning players improving. Practices involve experimenting with different lineups to see who fits best. We can play big or smaller and faster. Unlike last year, now we have some true point guards, which helps guys play their natural roles.
Depth is a new opportunity for us. I’ve often relied on a smaller rotation, but this year I hope to reduce Nick’s minutes by playing more guys and increasing tempo. It will be a learning curve managing who plays what, but competition in practice makes players better. This is a fresh start with mostly new faces, which brings energy and the joy of teaching young talent.”
On Collaboration with Revenue Sharing Head Christian Sarkisian:
“Christian has adapted well, learning the basketball side and working closely with our director of operations, Chris Lauten. Transitioning to revenue sharing and salary cap requires smart contract decisions. Having Christian manage negotiations lets me focus on coaching, which is a relief.”
Collins on Managing the Offseason Player Turnover:
“Rest was scarce—work begins immediately after season’s end with recruiting, transfers, and contracts. I finally got some downtime in August, which was crucial before our mid-September start. The process is nonstop and exhausting but part of the modern game.”
On NCAA Tournament Expansion:
“I’m not opposed but cautious. The tournament should reward success, not just fill slots. The current format, allowing mid-major champions, has its charm. However, with evolving power dynamics and finances, who knows what the future holds? The debate is open.”
On Using the Transfer Portal Strategically:
“We targeted specific needs: point guard, wing, and frontcourt. Jayden Reid brings speed and defensive pressure at the point; Max Green offers size and perimeter scoring; Arrinten Page fills the big man role with size and skill. All are poised to make significant contributions this season.”
On Martinelli’s Return Being Essential:
“Nick coming back was our top priority. Exploring the draft process is valuable for development, but he’s fully committed here. His growth in vocal leadership, especially during last season’s injuries, has been impressive. Now he leads on and off the court.”
On Tre Singleton’s Role:
“We love Tre’s calm demeanor and physical readiness. At nearly 6’8” and 230 pounds, with strong skills, he pairs well with Nick. His potential impact as a freshman is significant, especially considering his high school championship success. The leap to college ball is big, but he’s ready.”
On Playing Without a Traditional Center:
“We compensate with bigger wings—players like Tyler Kropp (6’9”) and others who play tough and athletic. This is similar to our first tournament team that used a 6’7” center. We may even use Nick as a small-ball five. Our defense focuses on traps and help defense to neutralize opponents.”
Collins on Jayden Reid’s Big Ten Transition:
“Jayden is tough and experienced against big opponents from his NYC and Long Island high school days. He shows fight and intelligence, which makes me confident he’ll succeed as a Big Ten point guard.”
On KJ Windham’s Role Flexibility:
“KJ’s role isn’t fixed—he can be a scorer, shooting guard, or sometimes a point guard. Having multiple ball handlers on the court provides strategic advantages. We encourage versatility and have seen KJ finish strong last year, so I expect significant growth this season.”
Collins Advocates for College Basketball Quarters:
“I’ve long supported switching from halves to four 10-minute quarters. It adds strategic depth, resets foul counts, and aligns college with international and high school basketball. We just got coach’s challenges this year, so quarters might be the next innovation.”
Expectations for Sophomore Returners:
“KJ and Angelo both had strong offseasons. Angelo added 15 pounds of muscle, improving his ability to absorb contact. Justin Mullins gained offensive confidence, and Jordan Clayton showed great promise late last season. We have options and flexibility in rotations.”
Balancing Present Goals with Future Growth:
“This year is about winning now, but also developing young players. Nick’s leadership is vital, as he aims to be the first player in program history to play in three NCAA Tournaments. We’re not rebuilding but building a mixed team of strong high school recruits and strategic transfers to compete immediately.”
How Success Impacts Recruiting:
“Success breeds excitement. Players like Tre Singleton came because of our recent achievements and individual success stories like Brooks and Nick. Welsh-Ryan is electric on game days now, which attracts Big Ten-level talent, not just developmental projects.”
On Purdue’s National Championship Chances:
“Purdue has incredible talent—Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn, Fletcher Loyer—and one of the best coaches in the country. That combination makes them legitimate contenders. I’m glad we don’t face them until the season’s end—it’ll be exciting to watch.”
**And here’s the part most people miss: With all these planning details and roster moves, how will Northwestern’s fresh mix of veterans and newcomers gel under the pressure of Big Ten play? Are they ready to shake up expectations or settle into predicted standings? What do you think? Share your take in the comments!
