UCLA Needs a Defensive Reset Against Northwestern

The UCLA Bruins head into Monday’s matchup against Northwestern looking to salvage their final Big Ten road trip and keep their top-four tournament hopes alive.

UCLA (20-9, 11-7 Big Ten) took a major step backward in the conference standings after a 76-66 loss to Purdue on Friday, where they allowed a late 12-0 run and were outscored 21-10 in the final eight minutes.

The loss puts UCLA behind Wisconsin, Maryland, and Purdue in the race for the No. 4 seed in the Big Ten Tournament—an important position that guarantees a bye into the quarterfinals.

Head coach Mick Cronin was clear about what went wrong.

“I say this every time, but real teams, they can defend for 40 minutes,” Cronin said. “Teams that are going to march on, they can defend for 40 minutes.”

UCLA’s defensive numbers still rank among the best in NCAA Division I, allowing just 65 points per game (21st nationally). However, in five of their seven conference losses, they have surrendered 75 or more points.

Now, against a Northwestern team riding a three-game winning streak, the Bruins must get back to their defensive identity.

Northwestern’s Defense Leading the Way

While UCLA searches for consistency, Northwestern (16-13, 7-11 Big Ten) is surging at the right time behind lockdown defense.

The Wildcats have held opponents to 68 points or fewer in four straight games, allowing just 56.3 PPG in their last three wins—all by double-digit margins.

Most recently, Northwestern shut down Iowa, holding the Hawkeyes to just 36.2% shooting and 32% from three-point range in a 68-57 victory.

Coach Chris Collins praised his team’s resilience.

“I’ve been proud of a lot of teams for a lot of different reasons, but not sure I’ve been more proud of an individual team than I am about this one right now,” Collins said.

Nick Martinelli Leading the Charge for Northwestern

Northwestern’s offense runs through Nick Martinelli, the Big Ten’s leading scorer.

Averaging 19.9 points per game
Adding 6.1 rebounds per game (now leading the team with Brooks Barnhizer sidelined)
Posted 16 points and 9 rebounds in the win over Iowa

With 2024 All-Big Ten selection Barnhizer out for the season with a foot injury, Martinelli has shouldered the offensive load, and UCLA must find a way to contain him.

Big Ten Tournament Implications

Northwestern is fighting for its postseason life, currently tied with Minnesota, Nebraska, and Rutgers for spots 11 through 14 in the expanded Big Ten.

Only the top 11 teams make the tournament, meaning the Wildcats need to keep winning to secure their place.

Key Matchups to Watch

UCLA’s Defense vs. Nick Martinelli
Martinelli is one of the most dangerous scorers in the Big Ten. If UCLA can slow him down, they can control the pace of the game.

UCLA’s Late-Game Execution
The Bruins have struggled in crunch time. If the game is close, can they avoid another late-game collapse?

Northwestern’s Perimeter Defense vs. UCLA’s Shooters
Northwestern has been outstanding defensively, and UCLA will need to knock down shots from beyond the arc to stretch the floor.

What’s at Stake?

For UCLA, a win would:

Keep them in the race for a top-four Big Ten seed.
Give them momentum heading into the conference tournament.
Reaffirm their defensive identity after recent struggles.

For Northwestern, a win would:

Extend their winning streak to four games.
Help secure a Big Ten Tournament spot.
Prove they can compete without Barnhizer.

Will UCLA Regain Its Defensive Edge, or Will Northwestern Stay Hot?

The Bruins need a bounce-back performance, but Northwestern is playing its best basketball of the season.

Will UCLA’s defense show up for 40 minutes, or will Northwestern’s momentum continue?

The answer unfolds Monday night in Evanston.

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