What We Learned About Northwestern's Rotation at Big Ten Media Day

Gavin Dorsey

Oct 11, 2025, 12:00

Gavin Dorsey

Oct 11, 2025, 12:00

Updated at: Oct 11, 2025, 12:00

Northwestern head coach Chris Collins took to the podium on Thursday, speaking to the media for the first time since the Wildcats' season-ending loss to Wisconsin in March. With eight new players on the roster, the 'Cats will look significantly different when they open the 2025-26 campaign next month.

Here's what Collins revealed during Big Ten Media Day about what we can expect out of Northwestern's lineup:

Jayden Reid is in line to start at point guard

After breaking out over the final stretch of last season, K.J. Windham was widely projected to take over as Northwestern's primary ball-handler this winter. The true freshman jumped from 2.9 points per game over his first 20 games to an average of 11.6 over his last nine, but Collins alluded to Windham taking more of an off-ball role moving forward.

The program brought in 5-foot-10 guard Jayden Reid during the offseason, one of three portal transfers. Collins expects that Reid's two years of point guard experience at South Florida will allow other players, like Windham and Jordan Clayton, to play their "natural positions."

"We needed to address the point guard position; Jayden Reid was a big get for that," Collins said. "He brings an element of speed and quickness that we really haven't had. Boo was quick, but this is a different level. He can play 94 feet, both ends. He can pick up the ball, pressure the ball, which'll allow us to extend our defense a little bit, which I've been wanting to do. His ability to get by guys and get into the lane will hopefully create some easier shots and not have so much of a grind on the offensive end... I think he's really going to need to step in and have an impact for us on Day 1."

Collins emphasizes depth, playing faster

When asked about his overall impressions of the team, Collins said he felt like Northwestern has "a lot of good players." Program stars like Boo Buie, Brooks Barnhizer and Nick Martinelli have traditionally absorbed large stretches of minutes in Collins' rotation, but the Wildcats' coach believes that Northwestern could be much deeper than years past.

Collins has not shied away from playing his stars for nearly the entire game. As talented as he is, Martinelli had such an offensive burden a season ago because surrounding injuries forced him to carry the load. With a five-man freshman class that has the potential to contribute immediately and added transfer experience, Collins can rotate through his largest bench yet.

"I would love to be in a position where we get Nick's minutes down a little bit, where he can be fresher at the end of games, play more guys, and play a little bit faster," Collins said. "Our tempo's been slow at times because of guys playing heavy minutes. With our speed and quickness, I think there's going to be an opportunity to play at a faster tempo. For me, that's going to be an adjustment, playing 9-10 guys in a game."

Tre Singleton is already turning heads

Tre Singleton is the highest-rated recruit in Northwestern history, and he could step into a big role very early on. At 6-foot-8 and 215 pounds, Collins said the four-star prospect is "physically ready to play" in the Big Ten. Despite being a very similar size, Collins also said he's liked practicing with lineups that have both Singleton and Martinelli together.

"I always temper myself with freshmen because it is a whole new ballgame," Collins said. "But you look at what he did last year, taking his team to a state championship, what he was able to do on that stage in Indiana, all he's done is get better and better every year. Those are the kind of guys I love. I'd be surprised if he wasn't one of the more impactful freshmen in the league, but that's going to be on him. It's a big jump, but he's going to be in positions to have a big impact on our team this year."

Singleton isn't the only freshman making his presence felt during training camp. Jake West, last year's Mr. Pennsylvania Basketball, received high praise from Collins as the team's potential backup point guard behind Reid.

What We Learned About Northwestern's Rotation at Big Ten Media Day