Indiana Hoosiers host Northwestern Wildcats in Big Ten matchup

Hoosiers look to end 5-game losing streak against in-state rival

Feb. 24, 2026 at 5:35am

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The Indiana Hoosiers (17-10, 8-8) will host the Northwestern Wildcats (11-16, 3-13) in a Big Ten conference matchup at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana. The Hoosiers are looking to snap a 5-game losing streak against the Wildcats, who have won the last 5 meetings between the two teams.

Why it matters

This game is crucial for Indiana's NCAA Tournament hopes, as a loss would significantly damage their chances of making the field. Northwestern has had Indiana's number in recent years, so the Hoosiers will need to find a way to slow down the Wildcats' leading scorer Nick Martinelli and regain their shooting touch to get back in the win column.

The details

Indiana is currently around an 8.5-point favorite at home, with KenPom projecting a 78-70 Hoosiers victory. The Hoosiers will need to focus on limiting turnovers and crashing the boards to take advantage of their size and athleticism advantage. Northwestern has been a strong defensive team this season, ranking 4th nationally in turnover percentage over the last 3 years.

  • The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
  • This will be the 178th all-time meeting between Indiana and Northwestern, with the Hoosiers holding a 120-57 series lead.

The players

Chris Collins

In his 13th season as head coach of the Northwestern men's basketball team, Collins has compiled a 205-206 overall record with the Wildcats. He previously served as an assistant coach at Duke and Seton Hall.

Nick Martinelli

The leading scorer for Northwestern, Martinelli is looking to become the first Wildcat player to have back-to-back 20 point, 6 rebound per game seasons since Jim Burns in the 1960s.

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What they’re saying

“We must find a way to slow down Nick Martinelli and make things difficult for him on the offensive end. He's been a thorn in our side the last few years.”

— Mike Woodson, Indiana Head Coach (The Daily Hoosier)

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a big step towards securing a spot in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, while the loser will see their at-large bid hopes take a significant hit.

The takeaway

This matchup between Indiana and Northwestern has become a heated rivalry in recent years, with the Wildcats holding a surprising 5-game winning streak over the Hoosiers. Indiana desperately needs a win at home to keep their NCAA Tournament aspirations alive and regain some momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season.