Key Takeaways
- Northwestern defeated Indiana 74–61 in the second round of the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament, advancing to the third round.
- Nick Martinelli led Northwestern with 28 points, while Jake West contributed 18 points and several assists.
- Indiana struggled offensively in the second half, shooting only 25 percent from the field and failing to close the gap.
- The Wildcats’ defense limited Indiana’s scoring opportunities and secured their lead in the final minutes.
- Northwestern will face No. 7 seed Purdue in the next round of the tournament held in Chicago.
Northwestern tops Indiana 74–61 in the second round of the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament in Chicago on March 12, 2026. The Wildcats entered the tournament as the No. 15 seed. Indiana was the No. 10 seed. The result moved Northwestern into the third round of the conference tournament.
Northwestern controlled the game during the second half. The Wildcats improved their chances of advancing deeper in the single-elimination event. Indiana’s tournament run ended with the loss.
Northwestern Tops Indiana With Strong Offensive Performance
Nick Martinelli led Northwestern with 28 points. He also recorded three steals. Jake West added 18 points. West contributed four assists and three rebounds.
Jayden Reid supported the offense with six assists and five rebounds. Northwestern maintained steady scoring after halftime. The team created separation during a key stretch in the second half.
The Wildcats produced an 8–0 scoring run that increased their lead. Indiana struggled to respond during that period.
Indiana Struggles as Northwestern Tops Indiana
Indiana had difficulty maintaining offensive efficiency after halftime. The Hoosiers shot only 25 percent from the field in the second half.
Lamar Wilkerson scored 17 points to lead Indiana. Tayton Conerway added 14 points off the bench. Indiana could not close the scoring gap late in the game.
Northwestern’s defense limited Indiana’s scoring opportunities. The Wildcats protected their lead during the final minutes.
Big Ten Tournament Implications After Northwestern Tops Indiana
The victory advanced Northwestern to the third round of the Big Ten tournament. The Wildcats are scheduled to face No. 7 seed Purdue in the next matchup.
The Big Ten tournament is held in Chicago. It uses a single-elimination format. Teams advance through each round until the championship game on March 15.
Other second-round games also took place on the same day. Washington defeated USC in overtime. Rutgers recorded a win against Minnesota.
The Northwestern-Indiana matchup drew an attendance of 16,122 spectators. The tournament champion receives the Big Ten Conference title and an automatic berth in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.