Northwestern advertises itself as “Chicago’s Big Ten Team,” a slogan sure to circulate this week as the Big Ten tournament descends on that city’s United Center.
As the 15th-seeded Wildcats prepare to face 18th-seeded Penn State in the first round on Tuesday, however, they’ll need to channel court awareness over brand awareness to maintain any postseason dreams.
“Next time we lose, we don’t have any more games guaranteed,” Wildcats coach Chris Collins said. “You talk about playing every game like it’s your last. This now rings true. We have to keep winning to keep our season alive. Hopefully, we’ll have that kind of urgency: survive and advance.”
While Northwestern (13-18) boasts conference leading scorer Nick Martinelli and a 21-point home win against Penn State on Jan. 29 to its credit, the Wildcats stumbled down the stretch nonetheless.
Martinelli contributed a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds on Saturday at Minnesota. Responding to the team’s season-long call for depth, freshmen Jake West (14 points) and Tre Singleton (10) joined him in double figures.
Despite squandering a 10-point halftime deficit in the closing minutes, Minnesota scored the final four points to win 67-66. Similarly, the Wildcats couldn’t secure a back-and-forth battle in a home loss to then-No. 15 Purdue on Wednesday.
Penn State (12-19) also closed the regular season on a two-game losing streak. The Nittany Lions earned just three conference victories, two less than Northwestern.
Freshman center Ivan Juric continued a strong finishing kick during Saturday’s 74-62 road loss to Rutgers. He scored 16 points for the team high while snagging six rebounds.
Juric, a 7-footer, has scored in double figures in a career-best four consecutive games.
“I’m really impressed with him and proud of him,” Penn State coach Mike Rhoades said. “He’s improved so much since June – his body, his mind, his maturity, and his game.”
Kayden Mingo had 15 points to pace the Nittany Lions against Northwestern in January, but Penn State couldn’t contain Martinelli, who scored 34 points. Singleton had a double-double of 17 points and 18 rebounds.
Northwestern has won three of the past four meetings.
Tuesday’s winner will face 10th-seeded Indiana in the second round on Wednesday.
