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The last five players on Northwestern’s roster spent a lot of time on the bench this season. Freshmen Matthew Nicholson and Dom Martinelli were new additions to the squad, while the other three were team reserves last year. Four of them return next season and hope to establish a spot in Chris Collins’ rotation.
Here’s how they fared this year:
Eric Zalewski
After not getting any minutes in his first season on the team, Zalewski saw game action in Evanston this season. The team manager turned walk-on recorded an assist in his debut against Arkansas Pine-Bluff in the season opener, and later collected two rebounds and an assist in the 100-48 win over Quincy. He also earned his first career start in the senior night win over Nebraska.
Matthew Nicholson
The 7-footer out of Clarkston, Michigan, played just 23 total minutes over nine games in his first year in Evanston. Nicholson scored his first points in conference play against Iowa in January, and he also had an impressive block later in the season against Purdue. Beyond that, he did not have much of a role. However, given his size and skill set, the hope is that Nicholson will be able to contribute and earn consistent minutes next season.
Dom Martinelli
The freshman walk-on guard played in four games this season. The local Glenview product scored his first four collegiate points and grabbed two rebounds in a win over Quincy in December.
Roy Dixon III
The redshirt, walk-on sophomore from Atlanta made his Northwestern appeared in the season opener against Arkansas Pine-Bluff, and later on recorded his first career steal in a win over Quincy.
Dylan Sandhu
Like the other team walk-ons, the former Butler Bulldogs’ student manager saw his first career action in the season opener against Arkansas Pine-Bluff. The walk-on has two seasons of eligibility remaining.