The Shadow
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS- After a weekend of basketball at the Greenbrier Tipoff River Division this past weekend that featured some exciting play from four mid major schools, this Friday and Sunday, the 21st and 23rd, will bring four teams from power conferences to America’s Resort to continue the tournament in the Mountain Division.
On Friday, the games will begin at 2:00 PM with Butler (Big East) playing South Carolina (SEC) and then at 5:00, the Virginia Cavaliers (ACC) will play the Northwestern Wildcats (Big 10). All games will be played in Colonial Hall.
Here’s a sneak preview of both matchups:
Butler (3-1) vs. South Carolina (4-0)
Butler: After blowing out their first three opponents to open the 2025-26 season, the Bulldogs are coming off a fast paced, high scoring 87-85 loss to the SMU Mustangs. Head coach Thad Matta, the former Ohio State coach, has a good program, but according to sources, Butler’s defense will have to improve with games looming against South Carolina and Virginia. Against SMU, they allowed too many fast break opportunities and let SMU players sneak behind the defense.
Stat Leaders:
Points: Finley Bizjack- 15.3
Rebounds: Michael Ajayi- 11.8
Assists: Jalen Jackson- 4.8
Steals: Jalen Jackson- 2.0
Blocks: Michael Ajayi- 1.0
3-pt %: Finley Bizjack- 47.8
South Carolina: The Gamecocks have started a perfect 4-0 on the young season and have eclipsed the 80-point mark in each contest. Head coach Lamont Paris has his team believing in themselves and playing well and they all hope that continues at the Greenbrier Tipoff.
Stat Leaders:
Points: Meechie Johnson- 14.5
Rebounds: Mike Sharavjamtz- 6.0
Assists: Meechie Johnson- 3.8
Steals: Meechie Johnson- 1.0
Blocks: Jordan Butler- 0.8
3-pt %: Grant Polk- 62.5
Virginia (4-0) vs. Northwestern (4-0)
Virginia: Yet to face a power 5 conference team, UVA comes to White Sulphur still with surging momentum. Their last win, a 104-78 stomping of Marshall, the Cavaliers put up 61 first half points. Under former coach Tony Bennett, Virginia was known for slowing the game down and letting their pack line defense overpower teams. But now under Ryan Odom, UVA is playing a run and gun style that has worked so far this season. As of right now, Joe Lunardi predicts Virginia will play in the NCAA Tournament in March.
Stat Leaders:
Points: Thijs De Ridder- 17.2
Rebounds: Johann Grunloh- 7.5
Assists: Dallin Hall- 5.5
Steals: Chance Mallory- 2.8
Blocks: Johann Grunloh- 4.2
3-pt %: Chance Mallory- 60.0
Northwestern: Also 4-0, the Wildcats are coming off an 81-79 victory over Depaul where Nick Martellini scored 24 points and extended his double-digit scoring game streak to 30. Northwestern has been a steady program under head coach, former Duke star Chris Collins. Collins just recently signed a contract extension which will keep him as the leader of Northwestern basketball until 2030.
Stat Leaders:
Points: Nick Martellini- 20.5
Rebounds: Arrinten Page- 8.2
Assists: Jayden Reid- 5.8
Steals: Arrinten Page- 1.5
Blocks: Arrinten Page- 1.2
3-pt %: Nick Martinelli- 85.7
After these Friday matchups, Virginia will play Butler at 2:00 PM on Sunday and Butler and South Carolina will square off at 5:00 PM.
*NOTE*– According to the Greenbrier’s website, tickets are still available to attend all games. With the games played in a ball room inside one of America’s most historic hotels, the experience alone is worth the price of admission.
