Northwestern Wildcats men's basketball

History

Northwestern began its inaugural season of intercollegiate play in 1904–05, losing its first game to the University of Chicago 19–34. They went 2–2 in their first season, losing to the University of Chicago twice, and defeating Beloit and Iowa.

Although Northwestern had great success in the early 20th century, it has spent most of the time since World War II in the bottom half of the Big Ten. The Wildcats were retroactively selected as the 1930–31 national champion by both the Helms Athletic Foundation and the Premo-Porretta Power Poll; while the NCAA lists the historical Helms selections for reference, neither the Helms nor the Premo-Porretta titles are officially recognized as NCAA national championships. Northwestern has won only one other conference title, in 1933. It has only finished better than fourth place twice since World War II, and did not have a winning record in conference play from 1968 until 2017. Only the 2003–04 team managed a .500 conference record during that time. On March 1, 2017, the Wildcats won their 10th conference game (a 67–65 win over Michigan) to clinch their first winning Big Ten record in almost half a century. That season also saw the Wildcats make their first NCAA tournament in school history, winning their first NCAA tournament game 68–66 against Vanderbilt. The Wildcats have also appeared in the National Invitation Tournament seven times (1983, 1994, 1999, 2009–2012).

The first NCAA tournament championship was held at Northwestern in March 1939. Until making their first NCAA tournament in 2017, Northwestern had been one of five original NCAA Division I schools and the only school from a power conference to have never played an NCAA tournament game. Northwestern won its first tournament game, defeating Vanderbilt 68–66. The Wildcats lost in the second round to No. 1-seeded Gonzaga.

In 1998, two former players were charged and convicted for sports bribery, having been paid to shave points in games against three other Big Ten schools during the 1995 season.

The 2022–23 team finished in a tie for second place in the Big Ten regular season, its best finish in the conference since the 1958–59 season.

Coaching history

Main article: List of Northwestern Wildcats men's basketball head coaches

Sources:

Postseason

NCAA Division I tournament results

The Wildcats have appeared in the NCAA tournament three times. Their record is 3–3.

NIT results

The Wildcats have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) seven times. Their combined record is 5–7.

Notable players

All-time statistical leaders

Career leaders

• Points scored: Boo Buie (2,187, 2020–2024)
• Assists: Bryant McIntosh (700, 2014–2018)
• Rebounds: Evan Eschmeyer (995, 1995–1999)
• Steals: Pat Baldwin (272, 1990–1994)
• Blocks: Alexandru Olah (181, 2013–2016)

Single-season leaders

• Points scored: Nick Martinelli (663, 2025)
• Assists: Bryant McIntosh (213, 2016)
• Rebounds: Jim Pitts (321, 1966)
• Steals: Pat Baldwin (90, 1991)
• Blocks: Jim Pitts (123, 1966)

Single-game leaders

• Points scored: Rich Falk (49, 1964)
• Assists: Bryant McIntosh (16, 2018)
• Rebounds: Jim Pitts (29, 1965)
• Steals: Nate Carter (9, 2011)
• Blocks: Jim Pitts (10, 1966) Source for all statistical leaders:

All-Americans

Source:

References

References

1. "Northwestern University History 1900–1949".
2. Martin, Jill. (2017-03-12). "At long last, Northwestern reaches NCAAs". CNN.
3. "Northwestern basketball: a history – LIBRARIES {{!}} Blog".
4. "Men's Basketball 2023-24 Media Guide - Northwestern Athletics".
5. (2009). "ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Men's Game". ESPN Books.
6. "Vanderbilt vs. Northwestern - Game Summary - March 16, 2017 - ESPN".
7. "Eugene Register-Guard - Google News Archive Search".
8. "Youngstown Vindicator - Google News Archive Search".
9. Williams, Doug. (March 12, 2013). "NCAA tournament's un-Fab Five are 0-for-75".
10. (February 20, 2010). "Longest droughts: schools that have never made the NCAA tournament".
11. Feinstein, John. (February 15, 2016). "When it comes to NCAA tournament, Northwestern hasn't had a shot". The Washington Post.
12. Winn, Luke. (March 17, 2017). "Scene from Northwestern's first-ever NCAA tourney win". SI.com.
13. "2017 March Madness: NCAA admits huge missed call in Gonzaga-Northwestern". CBSSports.com.
14. (November 25, 1998). "Sentences Issued in Gambling Case". The New York Times.
15. Belluck, Pam. (March 27, 1998). "Ex-Northwestern Players Charged in Point-Shaving". The New York Times.
16. Berkow, Ira. (April 20, 1998). "Caught in Gambling's Grip; A Promising Career Unravels at Northwestern". The New York Times.
17. "Northwestern Wildcats Men's Basketball School History".
18. "Northwestern Basketball 2024-2025 Media Guide".
19. "Individual Records".