Welcome to my team preview series for 2024-25. Each day between now and the start of the college basketball season, I will preview one team or conference, both on Instagram (@collegehoopsoutlet) and through an article here. The preview will go in-depth on the roster build of the team, my expectations for their upcoming season, and the state of the program under their current head coach.
Northwestern (Projected: 12th in B1G)
Chris Collins has turned around Northwestern during his tenure, now entering year 12 and looking for tournament appearance number four. Collins has won the Wildcats a tournament game in each of his appearances and solidified himself in Northwestern history books. 2024-25 will be Northwestern’s first season since 2018-19 without program legend Boo Buie running the point, setting the stage for a rebuilding
The Wildcats return eight players, including four of their top six scorers. Brooks Barnhizer (15 ppg, 8 rpg) and Ty Berry (12 ppg) are both set to have even bigger years with Buie gone, trying to replace his production in the backcourt. Barnhizer is an all-around solid player, a guy who can score at all three levels, a good rebounder, and a guy who can handle the ball as a secondary point guard. Berry missed the end of last season due to injury, but he should be ready to go for 2024-25, shooting 43.3% from behind the arc last season for the Wildcats.
The frontcourt returns Nick Martinelli (9 ppg), Matthew Nicholson (5 ppg), and Luke Hunger (4 ppg), all of whom should play key minutes up front. Martinelli and Nicholson should start this upcoming season, having each started a handful of games last season. The returning group is rounded out by Blake Smith (2 ppg), Justin Mullins (1 rpg), Jordan Clayton (1 rpg), and Blake Barkley (Redshirt).
The previously mentioned program-changing guard Boo Buie (19 ppg, 5 apg) headlines the Northwestern departures, a hyper-efficient scorer who hit clutch shot after clutch shot for the Wildcats. Ryan Langborg (13 ppg) will be another big loss for the Wildcats, a solid all-around guard. Backup forward Blake Preston (2 ppg) completes the short list of departures.
The transfer portal was lightly used by Chris Collins, adding one big man and one guard. Stony Brook transfer Keenan Fitzmorris (11 ppg, 4 rpg at Stony Brook) will bolster the Wildcats frontcourt depth for 2024-25, a 7-0, 250 lbs rim protector. Fitzmorris showed flashes as a scorer during his time at Stony Brook, but will be most utilized as a defensive presence in the paint.
My favorite add from the portal for Northwestern was Fairfield transfer Jalen Leach (16 ppg, 4 rpg at Fairfield). Leach brings more shooting to the Wildcats, a 35.4% shooter on 130 attempts and a willingness to score at all three levels. Leach also loves to get in transition, starting and finishing the break often for the Stags last season while averaging 1.8 spg. Leach will have a big impact on how this team fares, trying to help fill the gap left by the departure of Buie.
Collins picked up two recruits from the 2024 high school graduating class, both three-star guards. KJ Windham (3*, NAT 182) is the higher-touted of the two, and could see minutes in the backcourt if he’s able to jump a couple of the returner who played limited minutes last season in the rotation. Angelo Ciaravino (3*, NAT 209) is more likely a piece for the future, as the Wildcats will lose all three of their top guards next offseason.
Chris Collins is entering his 12th year at Northwestern, and it’s honestly hard to imagine him leaving now. Under Collins, the Wildcats have had consistently solid teams and have now reached back-to-back tournaments. This first season without Boo Buie will be tough, but it’s still a solid group of returners that can compete in the Big Ten.
Brooks Barnhizer and Ty Berry have both been key pieces for Northwestern the past few seasons and will have even more on their shoulders this upcoming season. I count on them to get the job done, but I’m holding my hopes on what Fairfield transfer Jalen Leach will be. Leach is my X-factor for this team, a guy they obviously need to be close to Boo Buie, but it’s hard for anybody to come close to Buie. Leach will get lots of help from Barnhizer and Berry, but this Wildcats team won’t reach its full potential without Leach having a good year.
The Big Ten is very even this season, and I think Northwestern is a team that can fight for an NCAA Tournament spot, along with many others. It may take a while to get used to playing without Boo Buie, especially if Ty Berry and Matthew Nicholson’s injuries delay the start of their seasons, but the Wildcats should improve as the season goes along. For now, I’ve got Northwestern placed 12th in the Big Ten, closely competing with Rutgers, Nebraska, and Iowa.