Northwestern, Minnesota Face Off With Big Ten Tournament Berth on the Line

With just two weeks left in the regular season, the Big Ten Tournament race is tighter than ever—and Tuesday’s matchup between Northwestern and Minnesota could determine who gets in and who gets left out.

If the tournament started today, Minnesota (14-13, 6-10 Big Ten) would make the cut, while Northwestern (14-13, 5-11 Big Ten) would be on the outside looking in. But with a Wildcats win, they would jump over the Golden Gophers in the standings, flipping the script on their postseason hopes.

Which team will step up under pressure and take control of their Big Ten destiny?

Northwestern Looks for Back-to-Back Wins

The Wildcats haven’t won two straight games since December, but they have a golden opportunity to change that after a dominant 70-49 road win over Ohio State last Thursday.

Nick Martinelli was the star of that game, dropping 18 points on 7-for-15 shooting, and he’ll be a key player again if Northwestern wants to grab another road victory.

Martinelli is tied for the Big Ten’s scoring lead (19.7 PPG) while also averaging 6.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He’s been efficient all season, shooting 46.9% from the field and 35.9% from three.

Coach Chris Collins loves Martinelli’s confidence in big moments.

“I just think he’s fearless,” Collins said. “He’s not afraid to take a big shot or make a big play. That’s half the battle late in games—you have to want to be there.”

The biggest concern for Northwestern? Injuries.

The Wildcats are missing Brooks Barnhizer and Jalen Leach (their second- and third-leading scorers) for the rest of the season. But fifth-year senior Ty Berry (10.3 PPG) has stepped up, averaging 18.8 points in the last four games.

Can Northwestern overcome injuries and road struggles to steal a huge win in Minnesota?

Minnesota Must Regain Offensive Rhythm

The Golden Gophers had a frustrating loss to Penn State on Saturday, falling 85-76 after missing 13 straight shots in the first half. That cold stretch turned a nine-point lead into a two-point halftime deficit, and they never recovered.

Guard Isaac Asuma knows the team can’t afford another slow start against Northwestern.

“We can’t let ourselves get down like that and spend the whole game trying to fight back,” Asuma said. “We have to bring energy from the start.”

Minnesota will lean on Dawson Garcia, their top scorer (19.4 PPG, 7.5 RPG), to carry the offense. Lu’Cye Patterson (11.7 PPG) and Mike Mitchell Jr. (10.0 PPG) will also need to step up.

The Gophers have been strong at home (10-7 record), while Northwestern has struggled on the road (1-8 record). That home-court edge could be the difference in a close game.

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Final Thoughts: Who Will Take Control?

With a Big Ten Tournament spot on the line, this game could make or break the season for both teams.

• Northwestern has momentum after a big win over Ohio State.
• Minnesota has home-court advantage but needs more offensive consistency.

Which team will rise to the occasion and take control of their Big Ten future?

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