LAWYER POLL: Could Martinelli sue for a 5th year? He played less than 15% of potential minutes as a freshman

[CatManTrue]

This is very simple. When Martinelli was a freshman, he played less than 15% of the potential full-time starter minutes he did the last two seasons. Sure, he played i! 20 of our 34 minutes. But he barely made an impact.

For comparison: college football freshman can play WAY more and not lose their redshirt. This was also the case when Nick and other freshman lost their year while playing much less than gridiron analogs.

Should Martinelli sue for a 5th season?

If you’re a Maybe… please discuss. Or if you’re a Yes.

No’s… be quiet.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Wasn't it the film "A Civil Action" where the lawyer played by Robert Duvall shouts "I object" at everything the prosecution says? At one point, he falls asleep at the table, suddenly wakes up, and yells "I object!"

I think our attorneys need to take the same approach. Just throw everything at the NCAA and wear them down.

 

[EagerFan]

Sure he could sue, this is the US. Does he have a case? I don't think so. Has that stopped college athletes from successful suits in the recent past, absolutely not. Have many of them won cases that go against years of NCAA rules? Absolutely. Will Nick sue? No, why would he? Time to gear up for the summer league.

 

[CatManTrue]

Wasn't it the film "A Civil Action" where the lawyer played by Robert Duvall shouts "I object" at everything the prosecution says? At one point, he falls asleep at the table, suddenly wakes up, and yells "I object!"

I think our attorneys need to take the same approach. Just throw everything at the NCAA and wear them down.

Love that money. Need to rewatch it - especially now that one of the GOATs has retired (my man @SimpsonElmwood knew him and better vote Yes to get Nick back!!!)

 

[CatManTrue]

Sure he could sue, this is the US. Does he have a case? I don't think so. Has that stopped college athletes from successful suits in the recent past, absolutely not. Have many of them won cases that go against years of NCAA rules? Absolutely. Will Nick sue? No, why would he? Time to gear up for the summer league.

Either way he is training for pro basketball.

Now if he’s likely to get drafted and make a NBA roster… especially a powerhouse like Barnhizer did… then he should do it. But why not prod the NCAA? Our AD isn’t thinking of everything if he’s not considering this.

Gosh I hope some of our other alums have cajones. It’s BS that football players can play for a third of the season and still redshirt, yet a few minutes for half the season will get you held out of a fifth year of collegiate basketball

 

[SimpsonElmwood]

Love that money. Need to rewatch it - especially now that one of the GOATs has retired (my man @SimpsonElmwood knew him and better vote Yes to get Nick back!!!)

I would love to have Nick back, but I don't see a loophole for Nick to get through for another year!

 

[ricko6543211]

Either way he is training for pro basketball.

Now if he’s likely to get drafted and make a NBA roster… especially a powerhouse like Barnhizer did… then he should do it. But why not prod the NCAA? Our AD isn’t thinking of everything if he’s not considering this.

Gosh I hope some of our other alums have cajones. It’s BS that football players can play for a third of the season and still redshirt, yet a few minutes for half the season will get you held out of a fifth year of collegiate basketball

I've seen some mock drafts that have him going in the 2nd round. Hopefully he can get drafted and make it in the NBA. His defense and 3pt shot have improved this year, which were two of the challenges. He's still a potential liability in on-ball defense in the NBA I think but maybe someone will look at the outrageous production and strong efficiency and see the potential value he can add with his unconventional moves, hesitations, and quick release - especially when he's a secondary / tertiary option rather than being double teamed every time he touches it. It would have been better if his 3pt % hadn't fallen off a bit toward the end of the season, I think as his legs got a bit tired from carrying the team all season.

 

[hdhntr1]

Wasn't it the film "A Civil Action" where the lawyer played by Robert Duvall shouts "I object" at everything the prosecution says? At one point, he falls asleep at the table, suddenly wakes up, and yells "I object!"

I think our attorneys need to take the same approach. Just throw everything at the NCAA and wear them down.

First, would he want to come back/ At some point it is time to put away childish things and this looks like that time

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Any of our chances of being on the 2026-27 roster are the same as Nicks.

 

[ThatadultfromHolland]

Nick worked incredibly hard last season to develop himself into a legitimate pro prospect. He turned into a plus defender, improved his efficiency from three, and became a better passer. Some of that playmaking growth should show up even more when he isn’t facing constant doubles and triples and has more scoring around him.

He also got noticeably stronger, which helped him hold up on both ends.

The main questions are physical tools. He’s not an elite athlete and his foot speed isn’t great, which could create some defensive challenges at the next level depending on matchups.

Offensively, he’ll need to show more as a catch and shoot threat and prove he can score consistently off the ball. That said, it’s hard to fault him too much for that at Northwestern given how much offensive responsibility he carried and how often the defense was loaded up on him.

I could see him getting a 2nd round flyer or proving it on a summer league team and earning a two way. Can’t count this guy out with another offseason to work on his craft.

Dude was also a straight A student. If he’s done with classes that will help a lot. If he ends up done with basketball he’s got a great foundation to start his career.

 

[Hungry Jack]

First, would he want to come back/ At some point it is time to put away childish things and this looks like that time

I don’t think there’s a chance in hell he’d get another year. I do think he’d play another year here if he could.

 

[jschufreider]

I’m a maybe, because I don’t see Nicks game earning him an NBA contract.

Not sure what NIL dollars he’s getting from NU, but I’m guessing it’s north of $1m. He won’t get anything close to that in the G League or overseas.

Go for the money. Your sports career is short. Get as much as you can for as long as you can. And let your classmates from Kellogg manage it for you.

 

[Purple Pete]

I would love to have Nick back, but I don't see a loophole for Nick to get through for another year!

Rienk Mast says hello.

 

[CatManTrue]

I would love to have Nick back, but I don't see a loophole for Nick to get through for another year!

Bro… did you hear about the Alabama player that player in NBA games and then got eligibility THIS SEASON?

That is FAR more ridiculous than asking why the redshirt rules are so different between the two main college sports.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

I've seen some mock drafts that have him going in the 2nd round. Hopefully he can get drafted and make it in the NBA. His defense and 3pt shot have improved this year, which were two of the challenges. He's still a potential liability in on-ball defense in the NBA I think but maybe someone will look at the outrageous production and strong efficiency and see the potential value he can add with his unconventional moves, hesitations, and quick release - especially when he's a secondary / tertiary option rather than being double teamed every time he touches it. It would have been better if his 3pt % hadn't fallen off a bit toward the end of the season, I think as his legs got a bit tired from carrying the team all season.

He’s an intriguing NBA prospect. I’m not sure he’ll make it there - I’m not gonna be the one to tell him he can’t do anything on a basketball court - but whether he does or not I’m confident he’s going to have a lucrative and successful career in pro basketball SOMEWHERE.

 

[Max_Power]

Unless the NCAA adopts the five year eligibility rule this will not happen. Collins has a strategy in this roster rebuild. When everyone else is locked in the portal, he's building with youth. The Freshman and Sophomore classes will be the heart of the team for the next 3 years. These are his best classes overall. They have every position. I expect NU to be near the bubble next year assuming no big portal losses. Based on the roster today, I'd expect that Top 9 next year to be Ghai, Page, Singleton, Reid, West, Hodge, Gelo, Kopp, Clayton. This lineup is big and should be really solid defensively. The weakness is three point shooting. That said, Gelo, Singleton and Kopp could all improve that aspect of their game. We know West, Reid, Page and Clayton can shoot. Hodge will be a freshman coming off a knee injury so his first year is king of up in the air.

 

[Zazzy]

If bennerman improves and is added to this list we have a huge team size.

 

[CatManTrue]

He’s an intriguing NBA prospect. I’m not sure he’ll make it there - I’m not gonna be the one to tell him he can’t do anything on a basketball court - but whether he does or not I’m confident he’s going to have a lucrative and successful career in pro basketball SOMEWHERE.

I didn’t think Barnhizer would make it… yet here he is on the likely NBA champion and, given he’s contributing on a cheap second round deal… Barny may win multiple NBA titles.

Martinelli arguably has a higher ceiling - he’ll never be as good as Barny was and is defensively, but he has a unique offensive game a high ceiling.

I’d be surprised if Marty isn’t drafted at this point. As a second round pick that can score (his big body & 3 point shooting alone will give him a shot at most rosters as a potential 3-and-D wing.

Marty may have the best pro career of any NU basketball yet. Not much competition… hopefully he ends up playing Barny soon, even if during G League.

 

[CatManTrue]

Unless the NCAA adopts the five year eligibility rule this will not happen. Collins has a strategy in this roster rebuild. When everyone else is locked in the portal, he's building with youth. The Freshman and Sophomore classes will be the heart of the team for the next 3 years. These are his best classes overall. They have every position. I expect NU to be near the bubble next year assuming no big portal losses. Based on the roster today, I'd expect that Top 9 next year to be Ghai, Page, Singleton, Reid, West, Hodge, Gelo, Kopp, Clayton. This lineup is big and should be really solid defensively. The weakness is three point shooting. That said, Gelo, Singleton and Kopp could all improve that aspect of their game. We know West, Reid, Page and Clayton can shoot. Hodge will be a freshman coming off a knee injury so his first year is king of up in the air.

Based on what @NJCat shared in a different thread… I kinda doubt Martinelli would be admitted to a Northwestern graduate school.

If not him, then I hope some other basketball star challenges this ridiculous rule.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Unless the NCAA adopts the five year eligibility rule this will not happen. Collins has a strategy in this roster rebuild. When everyone else is locked in the portal, he's building with youth. The Freshman and Sophomore classes will be the heart of the team for the next 3 years. These are his best classes overall. They have every position. I expect NU to be near the bubble next year assuming no big portal losses. Based on the roster today, I'd expect that Top 9 next year to be Ghai, Page, Singleton, Reid, West, Hodge, Gelo, Kopp, Clayton. This lineup is big and should be really solid defensively. The weakness is three point shooting. That said, Gelo, Singleton and Kopp could all improve that aspect of their game. We know West, Reid, Page and Clayton can shoot. Hodge will be a freshman coming off a knee injury so his first year is king of up in the air.

Not saying you are wrong, but why Ghai over Brennerman? I have never seen either other than tape snipets, but both look rail thin, so I think it depends on which one doesn’t get physically overwhelmed.

Also, I think it will be hard for Hodge next season coming back from the injury. I would replace him with Gill, who I am higher on that most here. Actually think Gill can take a huge jump with an off season.

 

[docrugby1]

Any of our chances of being on the 2026-27 roster are the same as Nicks.

So you are saying there's a chance