Washington Huskies vs Northwestern Wildcats Picks and Predictions February 8th 2025

Wildcats Looking to Build on Gritty Win Over USC

Northwestern is still adjusting to life without senior guard Brooks Barnhizer, but the Wildcats proved they can still compete. Just a week after head coach Chris Collins announced Barnhizer would miss the rest of the season with a foot injury, Northwestern snapped a three-game losing streak with a dramatic 77-75 victory over Southern California on Tuesday.

Now, the Wildcats (13-10, 4-8 Big Ten) head to Seattle on Saturday to face Washington (11-11, 2-9), hoping to build momentum as they fight for position in the Big Ten standings.

Barnhizer’s absence is significant. He was Northwestern’s second-leading scorer (14.5 points per game), top rebounder (7.9), and ranked among the Big Ten’s best in assists (4.2) and steals (2.3). Losing a player of his caliber so late in the season is a major challenge, but the team has rallied around him.

“I love that kid. Not seeing him be able to get out there just sucks, but we’re gonna play our butts off for him,” Collins said. “He’s had an unfair year. He had set everything up to have this be the best year yet and to lead this program and to take us to new heights, and to just have the injuries derail that, it’s unfair. But it’s part of life, and he’s going to be stronger for it.”

Nick Martinelli Steps Up for Northwestern

With Barnhizer out, junior forward Nick Martinelli answered the call in a big way against USC. He delivered a monster performance, posting 27 points and 13 rebounds—including 10 offensive boards—and sinking the game-winning shot with 2.6 seconds left.

Martinelli, who leads the team in scoring at 19.7 points per game, has emerged as the Wildcats’ go-to player in clutch moments. Guard Jalen Leach, who averages 14.3 points per contest, has also taken on a larger role.

Northwestern now faces the challenge of proving its win over USC was not a one-time boost of emotion. A win in Seattle would be a step toward maintaining momentum as the regular season winds down.

Washington Seeking Consistency After Disappointing Loss

Washington has been searching for stability in its first season under head coach Danny Sprinkle. The Huskies ended a six-game skid with a 71-68 road win over Minnesota on Feb. 1, but they couldn’t carry that momentum forward against Nebraska on Wednesday.

Despite holding a 10-point lead at halftime, Washington collapsed in the second half, getting outscored by 24 points en route to an 86-72 defeat.

“It was a tale of two halves,” Sprinkle said. “We didn’t come out with energy (in the second half) for whatever reason. That’s what we challenged them at halftime. Forty minutes of energy. … It wasn’t there in that second half.”

Washington started hot, making 10 of its first 12 field-goal attempts—including seven three-pointers—but struggled to sustain its intensity after the break.

“We got hit, and we didn’t hit back,” guard Mekhi Mason said.

Mason was one of the bright spots for Washington, scoring a season-high 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. His offensive surge was encouraging, but Washington needs more complete team efforts to turn its season around.

Key Matchups to Watch

Nick Martinelli vs. Washington’s frontcourt – With Barnhizer out, Martinelli has taken on a larger scoring role. Can Washington’s defense slow him down?

Mekhi Mason’s shooting vs. Northwestern’s perimeter defense – Mason was on fire against Nebraska. If he stays hot, Washington’s offense could be dangerous.

Energy and effort on both sides – Washington’s second-half collapse against Nebraska raised concerns about its ability to sustain intensity for a full game. Northwestern, meanwhile, needs to prove it can play at a high level without Barnhizer.

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A Crucial Test for Both Teams

For Northwestern, a win would show that its victory over USC was more than just an emotional response to losing a key player. For Washington, it’s about proving it can close out games and maintain consistency under Sprinkle.

Both teams have something to prove, making Saturday’s matchup in Seattle a compelling battle between two squads fighting to finish their seasons on a strong note.