Before senior forward Nick Martinelli became the hero of Northwestern’s 63-62 victory over Oregon on Saturday, it was Martinelli-level effort from the entire team that set the table for his moment of magic.
He missed his first chance to win the game with 18 seconds left, but freshman forward Tre Singleton rose highest to grab the offensive rebound and breathe new life into the Wildcats (13-16, 5-13 Big Ten). Given eight seconds to beat the Ducks (11-18, 4-14 Big Ten), Martinelli persistently pivoted to find an angle that only he would find favorable.
In total, the ball rolled around the rim for about 1.7 seconds; for Singleton, and the rest of his team, it felt like an “eternity” before it finally went in. Martinelli’s grit on the final play encapsulated the work ethic he learned from NU legends before him — and the team reached that moment because of the work ethic he instilled in his teammates.
Coach Chris Collins listed a group of recent NU stars — former guards Boo Buie and Chase Audige, followed by former guards Brooks Barnhizer and Ty Berry and former center Matt Nicholson — who Collins said “showed him the way” when he was a freshman.
“He takes a great responsibility to have his legacy by leading our young guys: Tre Singleton, Jake West, Tyler Kropp, Angelo Ciaravino, all guys who are freshmen and sophomores that are the future core,” Collins said. “Hopefully, they become leaders, great players and all-conference guys as they mature.”
Junior center Arrinten Page, who began 2026 struggling defensively, stood tall with three blocks and four steals in his first start since Jan. 17. Junior guard Jordan Clayton dove for a loose ball to get the ’Cats an extra possession in the second half. 6-foot-6 sophomore guard Ciaravino complemented a dominant block on 6-foot-10 Oregon forward Kwame Evans Jr. with seven rebounds.
It was the first time NU had at least seven blocks and 11 steals in a game since a 2023 victory over Binghamton. Singleton said Martinelli’s competitive spirit inspired the team Saturday and in Tuesday night’s comeback at Indiana. Martinelli returned the sentiment.
“Me and Tre, for example, we’re roommates on the road, and I’ve gotten the chance to take him under my wing,” he said. “It’s just such a blessing to have that relationship and be in the trenches with this guy and those other guys in this team.”
Martinelli started Saturday flat, hitting just one of his eight first-half shots. Collins said his team shot “horrendously” to start, and a 2-for-10 shooting streak allowed a 15-3 Oregon run going into halftime.
It was a familiar story for the ’Cats, who had made a habit of following periods of brilliance by suddenly becoming allergic to hitting shots. The most notable example was when NU let a 16-point lead over No. 3 Michigan slip in just 7 minutes and 8 seconds, not to mention earlier collapses against Minnesota, No. 13 Michigan State and No. 12 Nebraska.
It seemed NU’s latest cold streak would allow the Ducks to overcome the hosts’ scrappy defensive performance. Down seven points at halftime, Collins told his team the game was theirs for the taking.
“That’s no disrespect to Oregon,” he said. “I just really felt like being at home on the last week of the regular season, our competitive fire needed to show out in this game.”
The “gut check” activated a gear that had been dormant until this week. NU made 11 of its first 13 shots out of the break and more than doubled its first-half shooting percentage. Mirroring his 21 back-half points against Indiana, Martinelli erupted with 14 second-half points on 7-for-10 shooting. The ’Cats outshot Oregon 45% to 39% by the end of the afternoon.
On the other end, a series of inspired defensive plays held Oregon to just 26 points in the second half. Collins attributed his team’s defensive prowess to its physicality in the paint and ability to clamp Oregon players in double teams.
With the Big Ten Tournament on the horizon, Martinelli said NU’s new three-game winning streak brought him little relief. He said the team is gaining confidence at the perfect time, reiterating a mantra of “playing for our lives” that he has repeated since at least early January — one that is becoming increasingly real with just three guaranteed games left in his college career.
The Glenbrook South alum’s last chapter at NU is yet to be written, Collins said. But when the dust settles, Collins — himself an Illinois Mr. Basketball winner at Glenbrook North — said Martinelli’s legacy will be remembered forever in the “upper echelon” of ’Cats greats.
“I hate to say that because he went to Glenbrook South, and I hate Glenbrook South,” Collins said. “But, I love Nick. I love Nick.”
Email: [email protected]
X: @sidvaraman
Related Stories:
— Men’s basketball: Martinelli lifts Northwestern past Oregon with game-winning signature hook
— Men’s Basketball: Martinelli powers Northwestern to sixth straight win over Indiana 72-68
— Men’s Basketball: Bench scoring proves vital in close victory over Maryland
