Northwestern vs. Maryland Preview: How to Watch, Injury Reports & Odds

Tonight’s matchup at Welsh-Ryan Arena marks a high-stakes "get-right" game for Northwestern (10-16, 2-13 B1G), though the stakes have shifted significantly from preseason expectations. While a five-game losing streak has largely derailed the Wildcats’ postseason hopes, this game remains a pivotal opportunity to stabilize a season that has seen the team struggle to remain competitive against the Big Ten’s elite. With only two conference victories in 2026 so far, Chris Collins' squad is fighting to climb out of the basement and secure a more favorable draw for the Big Ten tournament.

Northwestern has faced a grueling stretch, dropping recent contests to Minnesota and Iowa—games that slipped away in the final minutes. The analytical profile for the 'Cats remains a paradox; they still boast a top-100 perimeter defense, holding opponents to just 32.6% from deep, yet they’ve struggled to close out possessions on the glass. Tonight, the objective is simple but daunting: protect the home floor and prove that this veteran core can still navigate the fierce competition of a 14-game conference grind.

Standing in their way is a Maryland (10-15, 3-11 B1G) team that is experiencing its own post-Derik Queen identity crisis. Despite a 3-11 conference record, the Terrapins have shown flashes of dangerous potential, recently stringing together solid wins over Minnesota and Iowa — two teams that Northwestern failed to overcome. 

Maryland currently holds a one-game lead over the Wildcats in the standings, making this a direct battle for positioning. If the Wildcats allow Maryland to find its rhythm early on its home turf, it could be a long night in Evanston. However, if the Wildcats can leverage their home-court advantage and bounce back from their poor shooting, they might finally spark in the late season.

Maryland Terrapins (10-15) vs. Northwestern Wildcats (10-16)
Location: Welsh-Ryan Arena | Evanston, IL
Tipoff: Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. CT
TV: Big Ten Network (BTN) | Announcers: Connor Onion, Shon Morris
Radio: WGN 720 AM | Announcers: Dave Eanet, Billy McKinney

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Maryland Terrapins

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