Ty Berry, Matthew Nicholson and the new definition of what it means to be a Northwestern Wildcat

A duo who captained the ship for the golden era of Northwestern men’s basketball.

With 20 ticks remaining on the clock, Matthew Nicholson and Ty Berry checked out of Thursday’s season-ending loss to Wisconsin. Almost immediately, the emotions flooded in. For the players, the coaches, the fans. That moment not only represented the final time Nicholson and Berry donned a Northwestern uniform, but it also marked the end of an era of Wildcat basketball. And it may be recency bias, but I think it’s fair to call the last five years the best stretch in Northwestern’s history.

“Coming in as freshmen, all we wanted to do was win and help coach find the winning track again,” Berry said after Thursday’s loss. “It was tough at first, but after we got over the hump, just being a part of that and giving this program everything that we have these last five years, me and Matt can honestly say that we left this place better than we got it.”

I don’t think anyone would argue with that last part.

Five years ago, Northwestern was a program at a crossroad. Three years removed from its first-ever March Madness appearance, the Wildcats struggled to recapture that same magic, posting a 36-59 record over the following three seasons, including a mere 13-45 in conference play. One of those seasons was endured at Allstate Arena, a venue 40 minutes from campus and completely devoid of any personality or team spirit.

Fast forward and Northwestern just enjoyed its best three-year stretch in program history and tied its winningest four-year run. The Wildcats tripled their total number of NCAA Tournament appearances, winning games in both of their trips to the Big Dance. They upset the No. 1 team in the country twice, giving Northwestern fans the chance to storm the court. They transformed Welsh-Ryan Arena into one of the best home-court advantages in a conference loaded with unique and formidable venues. Northwestern just brought in its best recruiting class in program history.

This program transformation — one that has made Northwestern a destination for recruits and a formidable foe in one of college basketball’s best conferences — could not have happened without Nicholson and Berry, a pair who arrived in Evanston five years ago and whose stories have been inextricably linked ever since.

For three years, Nicholson and Berry were roommates, developing their chemistry on and off the court. Both players suffered season-ending injuries a season ago that held them out of March Madness. The two announced on the same day last spring that they would return for a fifth season and final hurrah.

And no, neither guy was ever the 1-A for Northwestern’s success, but they were not just passengers for Boo Buie, Brooks Barnhizer or Nick Martinelli-led teams. They were co-pilots. Every great team needs role players and few guys in the country knew their roles better than Nicholson and Berry.

Berry leaves Evanston tied for second in Northwestern history with 143 games played, third in three-pointers made and top ten in steals. Nicholson departs sixth in blocks, third in box plus/minus and first in career field goal percentage. In an era of NIL and transfer portal madness, they stayed loyal for five years and depart as all-time Wildcats.

That’s not to say they were perfect. There were games where Nicholson’s rebound total would be puzzling low or where Berry couldn’t buy a shot, but there were also games where it felt like Berry couldn’t miss and Nicholson energized the crowd with alley-oop dunks.

That’s why there was so much emotion after the loss to Wisconsin, a game Northwestern fought in but was ultimately overmatched without two of its starters. In the postgame press conference, years of memories bubbled up to the surface. Nick Martinelli, with Berry and Nicholson on either side of him, said, “They’re the reason this program has become what it’s become today, so I’m just grateful for them.”

Chris Collins echoed the same sentiment. “I’m just so sad I won’t get to coach Matt and Ty anymore,” Collins said. “They’ve meant so much to me the past five years. They’ve meant so much to our program.”

As Nicholson, who said going to Northwestern was the best decision he’s ever made, put it after the game, he and Berry built the program they wanted to be a part of. And that program, that culture — forged in the fire of a 9-15 pandemic season in their freshman year and enshrined with buzzer beaters, stunning upsets and March Madness wins — will remain in place long after they are gone.

And for that, Ty Berry and Matt Nicholson will always be Northwestern legends.

Note: I didn’t forget about Brooks Barnhizer! Felt that it was appropriate to give some attention to Berry and Nicholson after their final games. If you’re looking for some Barnhizer love, I’d encourage you to read Ryan Cole’s piece after his injury.