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Only one game remains in the Wildcats' 2025-26 regular season, and it'll be a prime opportunity to enter the Big Ten Tournament on a high note.

Northwestern heads to Minneapolis to play the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday night, a team that is flailing down the stretch.

Minnesota has been ravaged by injuries as of late. The Gophers were only able to play seven athletes during Wednesday's loss at Indiana, in which the Hoosiers were victorious, 77-47.

If Northwestern manages to leave the Twin Cities with a win, it would mark the Wildcats' third in the last four games. A victory over the Gophers, combined with a Rutgers loss to Penn State on Sunday morning, would ensure the 'Cats do not have to play in the first round of next week's Big Ten Tournament. Rutgers holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Wildcats and would earn the tournament's No. 14 seed with a win in Happy Valley.

Nick Martinelli is looking to close out his second consecutive season as the scoring leader in the Big Ten, which would make him just the sixth player in conference history to achieve the feat. It's been a year of career-bests for the senior, who has averaged 22.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while shooting 50.1% overall and 42.1% from three.

Freshman point guard Jake West could provide a big boost to the 'Cats if he is able to return against Minnesota. West was forced to miss Northwestern's 70-66 loss to Purdue on Wednesday due to an ankle injury and is listed as questionable for the regular season finale.

However, the Wildcats will be without center Arrinten Page, who is a surprising late inactive with an illness.

Here's everything you need to know before the 'Cats take on the Gophers:

How to Watch

Northwestern Wildcats (13-17, 5-14 B1G) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (14-16, 7-12 B1G)
Location: Williams Arena | Minneapolis, Minnesota
Tipoff: Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. CT
TV: Big Ten Network (BTN) | Announcers: Cory Provus, Shon Morris
Radio: WGN 720 AM & SiriusXM 385 | Announcers: Dave Eanet, Billy McKinney

Betting Odds (DraftKings)

Betting Line: Minnesota -3.5
Moneyline: Minnesota -175, Northwestern +145
Over/Under: 131.5

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Injury Report

Northwestern Wildcats:

  • Arrinten Page: OUT (Illness)
  • Jake West: QUESTIONABLE (Ankle)

Minnesota Golden Gophers:

  • Chansey Willis: OUT FOR SEASON
  • BJ Omot: OUT FOR SEASON
  • Robert Vaihola: OUT FOR SEASON
  • Nehemiah Turner: OUT
  • Jaylen Crocker-Johnson: OUT
  • Chance Stephens: OUT
  • Bobby Durkin: QUESTIONABLE

Last Game Starters

Northwestern vs. Purdue (Mar. 4)

  • Jayden Reid
  • Justin Mullins
  • Tre Singleton
  • Nick Martinelli
  • Arrinten Page

Minnesota at Indiana (Mar. 4)

  • Cade Tyson
  • Isaac Asuma
  • Bobby Durkin
  • Langston Reynolds
  • Grayson Grove