Indiana University Athletics
Tuesday, February 24
Bloomington, Ind.
7:00 PM
Indiana University
vs
Northwestern
‘Massive’ Opportunity – IU’s Postseason Hopes Depend on Last Four Games
2/24/2026 12:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Opportunity is there if the Indiana Hoosiers can seize it, if they can learn from consecutive road defeats to top-10 powers Illinois and Purdue for this final four-game regular-season stretch.
Here comes Northwestern (11-16 overall, 3-13 in the Big Ten) on Tuesday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, followed by home games against No. 13/13 Michigan State (22-5, 12-4) on Sunday and Minnesota (13-14, 6-10) on March 4 before ending the regular season at Ohio State (17-10, 9-7)) on March 7.
With a 17-10 record, 8-8 in the Big Ten, Indiana is within reach of at least an NCAA tourney at-large bid with a strong finish.
"It's right here," coach Darian DeVries says. "It's that stretch run right now. The only thing that matters is your next one. We've gotta go home, get ready. This is the next big one. That's what our focus will be."
That message resonated with forward Tucker Devries.
"We're playing for a lot right now," he says. "These next four games are massive for us to make the NCAA Tournament. We've put ourselves in position to play meaningful games coming down the stretch."
Tucker DeVries has averaged 13.8 points over his last four games while making 11 3-pointers in that span.
Guard Lamar Wilkerson's 55 3-pointers in Big Ten play breaks Steve Alford's previous program record of 54. He has scored 20 or more points in six straight games. He averages 21.1 points.
Northwestern is coming off a 78-74 victory over Maryland. Before that, it had taken a 16-point lead against Michigan before the Wolverines rallied for an 87-75 victory. The Wildcats had also pushed Iowa hard before losing 76-70 at Iowa City.
They are led by 6-foot-7 senior forward Nick Martinelli, the reigning Big Ten scoring champ who has surpassed 1,600 career points. He scored 29 against Maryland. He averages 22.3 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 50.1% from the field, 43.5% from 3-point range, and 80.9% on free throws. He has 19 games of 20 or more points.
Forward Arrinten Page averages 10.4 points on 55.1% shooting. Guard Jayden Reid averages 10.1 points and 4.9 assists. Guard Jordan Clayton had 20 points and six 3-pointers against Maryland.
Northwestern has beaten IU five straight times. The last time the Hoosiers beat the Wildcats was in 2021.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Opportunity is there if the Indiana Hoosiers can seize it, if they can learn from consecutive road defeats to top-10 powers Illinois and Purdue for this final four-game regular-season stretch.
Here comes Northwestern (11-16 overall, 3-13 in the Big Ten) on Tuesday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, followed by home games against No. 13/13 Michigan State (22-5, 12-4) on Sunday and Minnesota (13-14, 6-10) on March 4 before ending the regular season at Ohio State (17-10, 9-7)) on March 7.
With a 17-10 record, 8-8 in the Big Ten, Indiana is within reach of at least an NCAA tourney at-large bid with a strong finish.
"It's right here," coach Darian DeVries says. "It's that stretch run right now. The only thing that matters is your next one. We've gotta go home, get ready. This is the next big one. That's what our focus will be."
That message resonated with forward Tucker Devries.
"We're playing for a lot right now," he says. "These next four games are massive for us to make the NCAA Tournament. We've put ourselves in position to play meaningful games coming down the stretch."
Tucker DeVries has averaged 13.8 points over his last four games while making 11 3-pointers in that span.
Guard Lamar Wilkerson's 55 3-pointers in Big Ten play breaks Steve Alford's previous program record of 54. He has scored 20 or more points in six straight games. He averages 21.1 points.
Northwestern is coming off a 78-74 victory over Maryland. Before that, it had taken a 16-point lead against Michigan before the Wolverines rallied for an 87-75 victory. The Wildcats had also pushed Iowa hard before losing 76-70 at Iowa City.
They are led by 6-foot-7 senior forward Nick Martinelli, the reigning Big Ten scoring champ who has surpassed 1,600 career points. He scored 29 against Maryland. He averages 22.3 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 50.1% from the field, 43.5% from 3-point range, and 80.9% on free throws. He has 19 games of 20 or more points.
Forward Arrinten Page averages 10.4 points on 55.1% shooting. Guard Jayden Reid averages 10.1 points and 4.9 assists. Guard Jordan Clayton had 20 points and six 3-pointers against Maryland.
Northwestern has beaten IU five straight times. The last time the Hoosiers beat the Wildcats was in 2021.
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's BasketballMBB: Postgame Press Conference - Northwestern (2/24/26)
Tuesday, February 24
IUBB v NU Highlights
Tuesday, February 24
IUBB Postgame Press Conference
Tuesday, February 24
Darian DeVries Postgame Press Conference
Tuesday, February 24