Carla Berube Launches New Era for Northwestern Basketball

The new head coach looks to rebuild the Wildcats' program after a difficult 2025 campaign.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Basketball

Carla Berube Launches New Era for Northwestern Basketball

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Carla Berube has officially begun her tenure as the head coach of the Northwestern women's basketball team in Evanston. The Wildcats are looking to rebound after finishing 17th out of 18 teams in the Big Ten last season.

Why it matters

Berube is prioritizing the establishment of a long-term foundation for the program following a roster overhaul. The team aims to move past its recent struggles by fostering a new defensive mindset and emphasizing team unity under the slogan 'lift the boat.'

Northwestern finished 17th out of 18 teams in the Big Ten in 2025. The roster for the 2026 season features seven new players, including four transfers and three first-year athletes.

The players

Carla Berube

She is the new head coach of the Northwestern women's basketball team after previously coaching at Princeton for seven years and Tufts for 17 seasons.

Lexi Blue

She serves as one of the team captains for the Northwestern women's basketball program.

Lily Carmody

She is a team captain responsible for helping lead the Wildcats during the 2026 season.

Casey Harter

She is a team captain expected to provide leadership for the program's rebuilt roster.

Tayla Thomas

She is a former Northwestern player who averaged 7.2 rebounds per game in 2025 before transferring to Minnesota.

The details

The coaching staff has spent the offseason focusing on a defensive-first culture to revitalize a group that saw the departure of key contributors like Tayla Thomas, who transferred to Minnesota. Team captains Lexi Blue, Lily Carmody, and Casey Harter are tasked with leading a new-look roster on the floor.

Northwestern won the Big Ten Championship during the 2019-20 season.
The Wildcats finished 17th in the Big Ten in 2025.
An exhibition game against Lewis is scheduled for October 30, 2026.
The regular season opener against Milwaukee is set for November 3, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The program's current rebuilding effort stands in stark contrast to the standard set by the 2019-20 Big Ten Championship. This new era aims to bridge the gap between recent underperformance and the competitive success previously seen in the conference.

Fans in Evanston will get their first look at the new roster during an exhibition matchup against Lewis on October 30, 2026. The performance of incoming transfers will be critical as the team seeks to replace the production of previous starters.

The takeaway

Northwestern is betting that a focus on defensive discipline and team chemistry will help the program stabilize after a challenging year. Success will depend on how effectively the seven new roster additions can adapt to Berube's tactical requirements by the start of the season.