Chris Collins Makes the All-Big Ten Case for Nick Martinelli

Awards, accolades and moral victories mean nothing compared to wins. Nick Martinelli and Chris Collins have made that abundantly clear as Northwestern has struggled throughout the year. But that won't stop Collins from going to bat for his guys and making sure they get the respect they deserve.

As the season nears its end, Martinelli is on pace to lead the Big Ten in scoring for the second consecutive year. He would become the sixth player in conference history to do so, joining five Naismith Player of the Year winners and five NBA first-round draft picks.

Outside perception of Martinelli differs from that of other stars, though, largely due to team success. Northwestern went 17-16 last season and missed the NCAA Tournament, and the 2025-26 Wildcats rank near the bottom of the conference with a 13-17 record.

Martinelli's 20.5 points per game led the Big Ten a season ago, but the Northwestern forward still only landed on the All-Big Ten Second Team. Collins argued that Big Ten coaches and the media should not make the same decision again after Wednesday's Senior Night loss to Purdue.

"If you don't think that guy is one of the best players in the Big Ten, I don't know what people are watching," Collins said. "I know our record might not be worthy of being named a First Team player, but I can't imagine anybody else in the league being able to carry a team the way he carries us. Not just with his scoring, with his leadership, with his heart, with his emotion, the way he's embraced kind of being the big brother with these guys this year. I am just so proud."

By all accounts, Martinelli has been even more remarkable in his senior season. The Wildcats' do-it-all captain has improved his scoring to 22.7 points per game while also increasing his efficiency to 50.1% from the floor and 42.1% from deep.

Martinelli's best moments this season have come when it matters most. Against Indiana, Martinelli scored 21 of his 28 points in the second half to lead his team to a comeback win. No. 2 hit a buzzer-beating floater to defeat Oregon four days later, and although his matchup with the Boilermakers didn't result in a victory, the senior still put the Wildcats on his back with a dominant performance.

Once again, Martinelli thrived in the second half, where he dropped 19 of his 28 points. He was responsible for seven of the 'Cats' 11 made shots over the final 20 minutes, nearly single-handedly willing Northwestern to the upset.

Collins has cherished every moment along Martinelli's four-year journey, and the Northwestern head coach hopes his captain receives the recognition he has earned.

"I'm so proud of who he's become and the player he is and the man he is, but it's bittersweet because I'm not going to get to coach him that much longer," Collins said. "That's always sad for me, when you have a special relationship with a player and you go through four years... To be a part of that journey with Nick and to see how far he's come as a player, as a leader, as a man, it's been special to have a small part in it and I'm just really proud of him in every way."

That respect was reciprocated by the senior, who said Collins and the other coaches changed his life.

"He's pushed me to be the best version of myself every single day," Martinelli said. "He always talks about being a man and not letting people down, discipline, being there for each other every single day. That's something that I really took to heart. He truly is a man of his word... I'm just so grateful for him."