How did the back of Chris Collins’ bench contribute?
After another excellent year that saw the Wildcats dancing in March, expectations were high for Chris Collins and company heading into the 2024-25 season. However, the injury bug struck the ‘Cats with a vengeance, ending their disappointing season in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament. The show must go on, however. Over the next few weeks, Inside NU will explore each player’s performance in the 2024-25 season. We will start with the Wildcats’ three reserves: Blake Smith, Blake Barkley, and Gus Hurlburt.
Blake Smith
2024-25 season statistics: 3.2 minutes per game, 0.3 points per game, 0.2 rebounds per game, 0.1 steals per game, 0.0% FG, 75.0% FT (18 appearances)
Smith was one of the best stories of the 2023-24 season, working his way up from walk-on to key rotational piece. However, his junior year wasn’t what he anticipated. Though he appeared in a career-high 18 games, Smith played double-digit minutes just twice all season. His finest offensive output came in the Wildcats’ 77-75 win over USC on Feb. 4, when he chipped in four points, all from the charity stripe.
Despite all the injuries that wracked the Wildcats, Smith still couldn’t carve out substantial minutes. But don’t give up on the rising senior. He plays harder than anybody in the purple-and-white, and that nonstop effort is simply something you can’t teach. As ‘Cats fans wait with bated breath to find out whether Nick Martinelli will return to Evanston, Smith could become a vital part of the rotation again.
Blake Barkley
2024-25 season statistics: 2.8 minutes per game, 1.0 points per game, 0.8 rebounds per game, 40.0% FG (four appearances)
Barkley decided to redshirt as a true freshman, as he looked to develop under Chris Collins’ tutelage for a year. The former three-star prospect flew around the court in NU’s season-opening win against Lehigh, scoring two points and grabbing four rebounds in seven minutes of action. Unfortunately, Barkley struggled to stay on the floor, as he played just four more minutes throughout the season. In March, he announced that he would enter the transfer portal.
Northwestern Basketball Transfer
6’8, 218
Position: G/F (3-5)
3 years of eligibility
37% From 3, 53% From Field (Practice)
Missed 8 games due to injury + Illness pic.twitter.com/sFmwKEUVdh— Blake Barkley (@BlakeBarkley3) March 17, 2025
As seen from his (practice) highlights, Barkley is a dynamic, high-flying athlete who can get busy on both sides of the ball. The West Virginia native got offers from programs like Appalachian State and George Mason coming out of high school, so there’s a chance that he looks to transfer closer to home.
Gus Hurlburt
2024-25 season statistics: 0.7 minutes per game, 0.0 points per game, 0.0 rebounds per game, 0.0% FG (three appearances)
After appearing in six games in the 2023-24 season, Hurlburt took a backseat to other bigs like Luke Hunger and Keenan Fitzmorris. Hailing from North Dakota, the 6-foot-9 forward appeared in games against Lehigh, Pepperdine, and Purdue. However, he didn’t record any statistics.
There’s a chance that Hurlburt will carve out a bigger role for himself next season, especially after Hunger announced that he was entering the transfer portal. Regardless of how many minutes he sees in the 2025-26 season, he will be a great role model and veteran presence for incoming recruits like Tre Singleton and Cade Brenneman.