Big Ten, Big 12 MBB programs set for first matchup, Thanksgiving Day game at United Center

Sarah Barber

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Big Ten, Big 12 MBB programs set for first matchup, Thanksgiving Day game at United Center image

Two Power-4 men’s basketball teams are set to face off for the first time in either program’s history.

The Big Ten’s Northwestern Wildcats and the Big 12’s Oklahoma State Cowboys will play a Thanksgiving Day game Thursday, Nov. 27 at the United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls.

 

 

Tip-off time has yet to be announced, but the teams have agreed to a future game in Oklahoma City next season. The game will be Northwestern’s first regular season game at the United Center since a Dec. 17, 2016 non-conference victory over Dayton, 67-64.

“Intersport, a Chicago-based sports marketing and events agency, will manage all aspects of the Northwestern-Oklahoma State contests,” the Northwestern press release read.

Entering his 13th season with the Wildcats, head coach Chris Collins signed a contract extension in April keeping him in Evanston through 2030. In addition to returning last year’s Big Ten leading scorer Nick Martinelli (20.5 points per game), five freshmen including four-star power forward Tre Singleton and three transfers will join the Wildcats’ roster. 

Last year, Northwestern posted a 17-16 (7-13 Big Ten) record, finishing tied for 12th in the Big Ten with Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and USC. The Wildcats were the No. 13 seed in last year’s Big Ten Tournament. They beat No. 12-seeded Minnesota in the first round, 72-64, but fell the following round to No. 5 Wisconsin, 70-63. 

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Neither Collins’ Wildcats nor Steve Lutz’s Cowboys made NCAA tournament appearances last season. Oklahoma State also finished tied for 12th in its conference last season, ironically with the same record as the Wildcats. 

The Cowboys posted a 17-18 (7-13 Big 12) record last year, tied in conference with Cincinnati and UCF. The No. 12-seeded Oklahoma State fell in the first game of the Big 12 Conference Tournament to No. 13-seeded Cincinnati, 87-68.

Sarah Barber

Sarah Barber is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. She is wrapping up an MS in journalism with a specialization in sports media from Northwestern’s Medill School. Barber graduated from Northeastern University in 2024 with a degree in journalism and English, plus a double minor in public relations and sports, media and communication. She spent over two years as a sports correspondent for The Boston Globe and has a background in athletic video production.