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Northwestern wrapped up the 2025-26 season with a struggling but encouraging campaign. One remarkable change this year was Chris Collins playing a wider rotation — 35.7% of minutes went to the bench, per KenPom, ranking 78th nationally. Here’s my review of Northwestern’s reserves who contributed this season.
Max Green
Though he was a legitimate shooter at Holy Cross, Green struggled to find his rhythm this season. He made 23 three-pointers (fifth on the team), but that output doesn’t justify calling him a pure shooter yet.
Green showed other bright spots, though. He’s a shooter who can actually get downhill for tough buckets and possesses the ability to create better looks. What lies ahead is simply addressing the inconsistency and regaining trust from Collins, who didn’t play him from Feb. 4 (at Illinois) through the rest of the season.
The DNP streak felt puzzling given Northwestern’s shooting woes. If Green can prove himself in practice and earn Collins’ confidence again, he could provide much-needed perimeter firepower next season.
Justin Mullins
Amid other guards piling onto the roster, the veteran’s average minutes shrank from 22.2 (2024-25) to 13.3 (2025-26). But he delivered highlights this season. Against Howard, he drilled four three-pointers in the first half when the Wildcats faced trouble from the Bison. In the Big Ten Tournament against Penn State, Mullins knocked down two consecutive triples—his first makes since the Howard game—providing a crucial spark.
Similar to Clayton, Mullins excels at finding space for open three-pointers. His veteran presence and shooting ability make him a steadying force off the bench.
K.J. Windham
Another embodiment of mystery. With expectations to take a sophomore-year leap after a standout freshman campaign, Windham didn’t show up as people wanted, playing only 14 games this season. With that limited sample size, it feels difficult to review his performance fairly.
Speaking on behalf of Windham, I think Collins should re-evaluate his role. Windham showed flashes as a freshman — ability to create shooting, defensive intensity and three-point shooting ability (33.3%, fifth on the team despite limited minutes). Additionally, Windham had proved his on-court impact helped grow his playing time during his freshman gear, as he played 20+ minutes in the final seven games of that season.
The confidence issues Collins mentioned seem like a chicken-or-egg problem. It’s difficult for a player to build confidence with limited minutes. If he returns, Windham deserves a clearer opportunity next season to prove himself.
Phoenix Gill
Gill appeared in just 11 games this season, making it nearly impossible to evaluate his contributions fairly. His most significant floor time came against Illinois in early February, where he played 15 minutes.
After a year in a Big Ten strength and conditioning program, he should be better equipped to finish at the rim through contact, which was his calling card at his high school, St. Ignatius.
Cade Bennerman
Bennerman’s season was defined more by what’s to come than what happened on the hardwood. At 7-foot but weighing in at 205 lbs, the Nashville native spent the year as a redshirt, giving him time to add the necessary muscle to match the Big Ten level of physicality.
However, his Northwestern chapter is ending before it truly began. Per On3’s Joe Tipton on Friday, he entered the transfer portal with all four years of eligibility remaining. His elite shot-blocking instincts from high school make him an intriguing prospect for a program that can afford him the patient development he needs.
Gus Hurlburt
While Hurlburt’s stat line remains modest — appearing in just a handful of games this year — his value to the program is best measured in the locker room. As a senior veteran who has seen the program’s rise over the last few seasons, Hurlburt served as arguably the most beloved player on the court and a key body in the practice facility, playing a key role in maintaining the team morale.
Blake Smith
After providing crucial sparks during Northwestern’s injury-plagued 2023-24 run, the walk-on senior guard saw his playing time vanish this season due to a crowded backcourt rotation. Despite recording no minutes this season, the 6-foot-6 guard will always be remembered as a hustler who came off the bench against Florida Atlantic in the 2024 NCAA Tournament First Round.
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