Since Northwestern's second ever NCAA Tournament berth in 2023, the 'Cats have always had "a guy."
For those first two seasons, it was Boo Buie. The point guard is the greatest player in Northwestern history, and he led the team to two consecutive second-round exists in March Madness.
After Buie, it was Brooks Barnhizer last, and he was the epitome of grit and toughness last season. It was clear that he'd learned from Buie and inherited his love for this program.
Like a true leader, Barnhizer passed that role down when he was injured in the middle of the season to his best friend Nick Martinelli. And Martinelli has held the title as the best player and emotional leader of this team up until now.
Yesterday, the 'Cats downed Indiana for the seventh straight time to advance to the third round of the Big Ten Tournament. It's been a tough season, so the buck stops here -- if the 'Cats lose in the coming days, it's over.
But Northwestern showed it's a better team than it was early in the year yesterday. Martinelli, of course, led the way in scoring with 28 points and dominated the second half. But, unfortunately, he's going to be gone next season.
This team is built differently than it was when Buie and Barnhizer left. There is no junior waiting in the wings with the talent/leadership combo to pick up right where Martinelli leaves off. But it does have Jake West.
The freshman point guard proved he's the future yesterday, in my eyes, getting off to a crazy hot start when Martinelli struggled early and winding up with 18 points on the night. It's the highest-pressure basketball game West has ever played in, and he was phenomenal, fearless even.
That's what it takes to lead a Northwestern basketball team. The intangibles feel like they're there with West -- the grit, the fire, the love for this program. Not to mention his ability to drive the ball or pull up from mid-range or fire off a quick-release long-triple. He's got it all.
Asking a sophomore to be a leader is a big ask, but Collins seems to trust West. In all likelihood, he'll be the starting point guard for next year's team, and that's a leadership role in and of itself.
Whatever the case, one thing is clear: West has emerged as a legitimate successor to Martinelli. Northwestern needs its best players to thrive if it wants to compete in future years, and West is primed to be that best player.
Tre Singleton and Tyler Kropp have both had nice freshman seasons, but I think it's safe to say that West has separated himself from the pack. Welcome to a new era (well, not yet, not as long as Nick has any say in this tournament).