Northwestern closes out nonconference play vs. pesky Howard

Field Level Media|published: Mon 29th December, 16:02 2025

NCAA Basketball: Valparaiso at Northwestern

Dec 16, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Valparaiso Beacons guard Brody Whitaker (3) defends Northwestern Wildcats forward Nick Martinelli (2) during the first half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Northwestern should regain the services of the nation's No. 9 scorer when it closes nonconference play Tuesday afternoon against Howard in Evanston, Ill.

Senior forward Nick Martinelli (21.9 ppg), who missed the Wildcats' 61-58 loss to Butler on Dec. 20 due to a concussion, has returned on the practice floor and is expected to play against the Bison.

Without Martinelli, the Wildcats (7-5) scored almost 25 fewer points against Butler than their average entering the game. Northwestern shot a season-low 35.9% from the field and nearly a season-low 17.4% on 3-point attempts.

On the plus side, the Wildcats doubled down on their defensive effort and played at a level that should serve them well when Big Ten play resumes Saturday against Minnesota. They forced 14 turnovers and limited a good-shooting Butler squad to 7 of 30 from 3-point range. Only UConn (60 points on Dec. 16) allowed fewer points to the Bulldogs.

"We defended really well all day long," Northwestern coach Chris Collins said.

While Howard (9-5) is ostensibly a buy game for Northwestern, the Bison have not been playing like they can be bought. They arrive in Evanston on a five-game winning streak with the last four coming away from home. In their last outing on Dec. 20, the Bison built a 14-point second-half lead against a solid UNC Wilmington squad and held on for a one-point road win.

"We have a lot of pieces that can help us," head coach Kenny Blakeney told Howard News Service last month.

The primary piece is fifth-year guard Bryce Harris, who averages 19.8 points and 7.2 rebounds and should contend for Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors. Cedric Taylor III, who missed the first 11 games with a hand injury, has delivered 12.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists during his first three games back.

Howard also awaits the return of junior guard Alex Cotton (10.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg), who has missed the last two games with an injury. In the Bison's opener against Missouri, Cotton drilled 6 of 12 3-point attempts on his way to 20 points.

--Field Level Media