Nick Martinelli has seen some massive games in his time at Northwestern. Whether it’s the pair of Purdue upsets, the breakout game against Maryland his sophomore year or the game-winner against USC last season, Martinelli knows what it takes to win big games. By comparison, Northwestern’s 86-70 victory over Valparaiso on Tuesday night had very few stakes.
But Martinelli — and by extension, the rest of the team — acted as if it did.
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“It starts with practice. What we do on Thursday and Friday is what we’re gonna do on Saturday,” Martinelli said postgame after pouring in an easy 29 points. “We’ve put in a lot of work, but there’s a lot more work to be done.”
And that work is especially important defensively. Heading into last Saturday, Northwestern had given up 75 or more points in six straight contests, a span in which the Wildcats posted a 2-4 record. The defense locked down on Saturday against Jackson State, holding the Tigers to 53 points. On Tuesday, Northwestern again stayed disciplined defensively, holding Valparaiso to 30 first-half points and forcing 15 turnovers.
“I think we’re being more physical and playing without fouling, we call it walling up down there,” head coach Chris Collins (now at win No. 201 in Evanston) said. “I saw real progress. It’s a work, though. We’ve got to keep at it. We’ve got to keep practicing.”
It was practice that helped reset and reorient the team after four losses in a five-game span, including three losses by five points or fewer. In each of those four losses (Virginia, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin, Ohio State), the Wildcats gave up at least 83 points. The week in between the Ohio State loss and the Jackson State victory provided an opportunity for Collins and the staff to get the team back on track defensively.
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“We practiced better (last week) than we’ve practiced, probably all year long. Our guys are embracing it,” Collins said. “I wanted them to be rewarded for practicing well. So it was good that we came out and executed some of the things we’ve been practicing.”
One facet of the game that’s been rewarding all season long is the offensive side of the ball. The Wildcats have scored at least 70 points in each of their first 11 games, the longest streak for the program since the 1970-71 season (18 games). Arrinten Page has been a critical part of that improvement, and he has now scored in double figures in eight straight games after his 18-point outing Tuesday night.
“I’m feeling pretty comfortable. I’d probably say that that comes from a lot of reps,” Page said. “Coach believes in me, and it’s pretty evident, so that allows me to go out there and just be a basketball player.”
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Collins has also bestowed his belief on Justin Mullins, who has played 45 total minutes in the last two games after played a total of 10 during the three-game skid. Mullins scored seven points on 3-of-4 shooting and played the final five minutes of the game, including the last four with the starting unit (minus Angelo Ciaravino).
“He’s just really playing like a senior,” Collins said about Mullins. “I thought his energy was great. He’s doing a really good job getting out on the break. I just felt really comfortable with how he was playing.”
Valparaiso was certainly uncomfortable with Mullins’ playing style, especially his hammer dunks on the fast break. Mullins was a +8 on the night, the highest mark of any non-starter for Northwestern. He also led the team in steals, both of which he converted into those aforementioned slams.
“Justin, there’s just a comfort level with him. He’s confident. He understands what this program is about,” Collins said. “You’re going to lean on guys that have been in the foxhole with you and have helped you win games, and he’s one of those guys.”
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Much like Mullins, Martinelli has also been in those foxholes time and time again. His veteran savvy and willingness to battle was on constant display Tuesday night. Aside from the seven free throw attempts, Martinelli also gobbled up five offensive rebounds. But while he takes the lead for the Wildcats, he’s not the only one setting the tone.
“A lot of times when you guys ask me how my actions trickle down, I think you guys are missing how their (my teammates’) actions trickle down to me,” Martinelli said. “My teammates motivate me each and every day, and it’s a dog fight out there when I play against these guys. We really have turned the switch.”
Martinelli, Mullins, Page and the rest (both Jayden Reid and Tre Singleton had stellar games) have indeed gotten the season back on course. Now, with what’s basically a road game against Butler looming this weekend, the challenge will be staying on that course for good.
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“I want them to approach the game as if it was a tournament-type game, because it’s important when you’re trying to build your resume. You have to be super confident going into Saturday,” Collins said of his team’s approach for the coming week. “This was a good win, and really sets up a high-level game on Saturday. It’s important to find winning again.”
