Northwestern Wildcats’ standout forward, Martinelli, has solidified his status in the Big Ten with impressive performances this season. After scoring 28 points in a recent matchup against Purdue, he became the first player in the conference’s history to achieve 20 or more points against all 17 Big Ten opponents over his career. This remarkable feat highlights his consistency and scoring proficiency throughout his time in the league.
As he looks to become only the sixth player since 1990 to lead the Big Ten in scoring for consecutive seasons, Martinelli joins an elite group that includes notable names like Zach Edey from Purdue and Luka Garza from Iowa. The significance of this achievement is underscored by the fact that all previous members of this exclusive club were either named National Player of the Year or recognized as First-Team All-Americans.
This season, Martinelli has averaged 22.7 points per game, placing him at the top of the Big Ten and sixth nationally. He has also maintained an impressive shooting percentage of 50.1% from the field. With 71 career games scoring in double figures, including an impressive streak of 20 or more points in 12 games between December 2025 and January 2026, he is now just behind John Shurna for the most such games in Northwestern history.
Martinelli’s scoring onslaught this season includes 22 games of 20 or more points, which is the most for a Wildcat in a single season since at least 2004. His 12 games with 25 or more points also set a program high in this timeframe. Martinelli currently holds the record for the most 25-point games of any active player in the Big Ten and ranks seventh in Northwestern’s history with 1,687 career points. He is poised to move even higher on the list, needing just three points to surpass Michael “Juice” Thompson for seventh place.
The Wildcats have seen a resurgence in their game this season, averaging 73.4 points per game—their highest output since the 1993-94 season. Their distinct ability to limit turnovers, averaging just 8.6 per game, establishes a new program record and ranks them among the best in the nation.
As they head into their penultimate game of the regular season against Minnesota on March 7, the Wildcats are looking to build on their recent momentum, having won three of their last four contests. Northwestern will aim to secure a victory against the Golden Gophers, a team they previously faced earlier in the season, where Martinelli showcased his scoring prowess with a game-high 26 points.
With the upcoming Big Ten Tournament around the corner, the Wildcats are not only fighting for a strong finish to the season but are also building excitement around their potential for deep tournament runs. As Northwestern continues to flourish, Martinelli’s leadership and exceptional performance on the court remain key factors in their success.