The Shadow
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (VR) – Men’s college basketball returns to The Greenbrier on Nov. 13 when Xavier and Mississippi State square off inside Colonial Hall at the famed West Virginia resort.
The game is part of the Greenbrier Tip-Off, which brings marquee men’s and women’s college basketball matchups to one of the country’s most iconic resort destinations.
Intersport, a Chicago-based sports marketing and events agency, is the owner and operator of the Greenbrier Tip-Off and will manage all games under the event umbrella, including the Xavier-Mississippi State contest. Additional men’s and women’s basketball games that are part of the Greenbrier Tip-Off will be announced throughout the summer.
Travel packages for fans looking to join their favorite team at the Greenbrier Tip-Off are on sale now. Packages include game tickets, accommodations at the historic resort, exclusive access to resort activities and more. Fans interested in securing packages can visit GreenbrierTipOff.com/Travel-Packages.
Currently travel packages are the best way to guarantee your tickets to the Greenbrier Tip-Off. Individual tickets will go on sale starting September 30, with a one-day presale taking place the day prior. To register for the ticket presale, visit GreenbrierTipOff.com/tickets.
The game will be held inside Colonial Hall at The Greenbrier, which features a seating capacity of 1,200 and offers one of the most unique and intimate experiences in the sport. Packages will include tickets to both of a selected team’s games and hotel accommodations on property. Package buyers will have exclusive access to The Greenbrier’s wide-ranging resort amenities, including world-class golf, fishing excursions, historical bunker tours, horseback riding and fine dining.
The Greenbrier has become synonymous with world-class, authentic, southern hospitality. Founded in 1778, the resort is the premium vacation destination fit for any personality, from luxury shopping and dining experiences to championship-level golf and other outdoor adventures. In total, the resort features more than 55 indoor and outdoor activities, more than 35 retail shops, four golf courses, 20 dining and lounge venues, signature spa services and an on-property casino on more than 11,000 acres. To discover more about the historic resort and book your accommodations as part of the weekend experience, visit www.greenbrier.com.
Mississippi State is led by head coach Chris Jans, who has guided the Bulldogs to three NCAA Tournament appearances and three 21-win seasons during his tenure in Starkville. Jans has helped reestablish Mississippi State as a consistent postseason presence while competing in the Southeastern Conference, one of the nation’s deepest men’s basketball leagues.
The Bulldogs are led by All-SEC guard Josh Hubbard, where he averaged 22.1 points, 3.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game while starting all 32 contests. He earned All-SEC Second Team honors from the media, All-SEC Third Team recognition from the coaches and NABC All-Southeast District First Team accolades for the second straight season.
“We look forward to competing at the iconic Greenbrier Resort against Xavier this season,” said Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans. “Having faced Coach Richard Pitino before, we know his program will be well-prepared and competing at a high level. This will be a great early-season test for our team. We also appreciate Intersport for their commitment to making this event possible and look forward to a tremendous experience for everyone involved.”
Xavier enters its second season under head coach Richard Pitino, who was named the 21st head coach in program history in 2025 after four seasons at New Mexico. Pitino owns more than a decade of head coaching experience, including an NIT championship and four NCAA Tournament appearances during his career.
The Musketeers bring back junior forward Jovan Milicevic, who was second on the team in scoring last year with 12.4 points per game and reached double figures 22 times. Xavier also welcomes a group of transfers, highlighted by guard Chance Westry, who averaged 15.5 points per game at UAB and earned American Conference Second Team honors last season. Big man Mike Nwoko, who averaged 13.4 points per game at LSU, and guard Tru Washington, who averaged 11.9 points per game at Miami (Fla.), also enter the fold.
“We are excited about the opportunity to play a major conference opponent at a tremendous neutral site,” said Xavier head coach Richard Pitino. “This game will also provide our fans the chance to travel to nearby West Virginia and experience The Greenbrier Resort.”
Mississippi State owns a 4-1 all-time edge over Xavier, with the series dating back to Dec. 29, 1962. Mississippi State won the most recent meeting, 80-74, on Dec. 18, 2004, at Xavier’s Cintas Center in Cincinnati. Xavier’s lone win in the series came in the second round of the 2004 NCAA Tournament, an 89-74 victory over the Bulldogs in Orlando.
