15. Northwestern Wildcats
It was a roller-coaster of a 2024-25 campaign for the Northwestern Wildcats, filled with injuries and numerous end-of-game misfortunes. If there was an award for the unluckiest team in college basketball last season, my vote would go with the Wildcats -- and they did rank 350th in “luck” in KenPom last season.
The Wildcats lost key frontcourt pieces in Matthew Nicholson and Luke Hunger, alongside star Brooks Barnhizer and Ty Berry from last year’s squad. However, they return Nick Martinelli, who can legitimately make a serious case for Big Ten Player of the Year after averaging 20.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 1.7 APG last season.
Martinelli alone raises Northwestern’s ceiling in 2025-26.
But there are plenty of sneaky-good additions here, with South Florida transfer Jayden Reid set to lead the backcourt after averaging 12.6 PPG and 3.6 APG with the Bulls last season. Cincinnati transfer Arrinten Page didn’t get much playing time last season, but will demand heavy frontcourt minutes this season. Max Green, a Holy Cross transfer, shot 38% from three as just a freshman last season, proving much-needed perimeter pop.
However, the key for Northwestern to silence its doubters in 2025-26 hinges on its returning core of Justin Mullins, K.J Windham, Jordan Clayton and Angelo Ciaravino. All four are not only expected, but must take a step forward for the Wildcats to break through the bottom of the Big Ten barrier next season.