Greenbrier Tip-Off back to action this weekend with Butler, South Carolina, Northwestern, & Virginia in action
PRESS RELEASE
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Following a memorable opening weekend that included one of the most talked-about games of the college basketball season so far, The Skechers Greenbrier Tip-Off returns to Colonial Hall Friday and Sunday with Mountain Division play.
The action begins Friday, November 21, at 2 p.m., when Butler, out of the Big East, takes on South Carolina out of the Southeastern Conference. At 5 p.m. that same night, Big Ten school Northwestern takes on Virginia, from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
On Sunday, November 23, play continues with Butler against Virginia at 2 p.m., and Northwestern meeting South Carolina at 5 p.m. All games will air live on CBS Sports Network from America’s Resort, The Greenbrier.
Tickets for all games are still available at GreenbrierTipoff.com.
OPENING WEEKEND RECAP
The opening weekend was filled with drama, beginning with the women’s game on Friday, November 14. Trailing 23-20 at halftime, West Virginia played the second half with only five eligible players after an on-court scuffle following the first-half buzzer led to multiple disqualifications. Only one of the five players who played the second half was in the starting lineup when the game began, but the Mountaineers battled back to outscore No. 15 Duke 24-9 in the third quarter and then hold on for a 57-49 victory in front of a sold out crowd in Colonial Hall.
Labeled as “The Greenbrier 5,” the players that finished the game received national notoriety for their efforts.
With the arena still buzzing over the Mountaineers’ improbable story, River Division play began on Saturday, November 15, with Kent State topping Cleveland State in a game filled with offensive fireworks, 102-95. Wright State handled Radford 92-59 in Saturday’s second contest.
Sunday began with a 76-72 Kent State overtime win over Wright State and was capped with a come-from-behind Cleveland State victory over Radford, 87-82.
THIS WEEKEND’S TEAMS
Butler — The Bulldogs will bring a 3-1 record with them to The Greenbrier. Head coach Thad Matta’s team is a couple points from being undefeated. It lost 87-85 at SMU in its most recent game, after easily handling Southern Indiana, IU Indy and Chicago State to start the season. Butler is led by 6-foot-7 forward Michael Ajayi, who is averaging 14.8 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. Junior guard Finley Bizjack is one of three others averaging double figures in scoring. He leads the way at 15 per game.
Northwestern — The Wildcats are 4-0 on the young season with wins over Mercyhurst (70-47), Boston (76-52), Cleveland State (110-63) and their most difficult test, an 81-79 triumph over DePaul in Chicago. Senior forward Nick Martinelli is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 20.5 points per game, to go along with 6.5 rebounds. Arrinten Page, a 6-foot-11 junior forward, has also made a major impact, contributing 16 points and 8.2 boards per contest for head coach Chris Collins.
South Carolina — The Gamecocks are undefeated in the early going with wins over North Carolina A&T, Southern Miss, Presbyterian and Radford. They’ll be hitting the road for the first time after four games inside Colonial Life Arena. Leading the way is Ohio State transfer Meechie Johnson. The senior guard is averaging 18.7 points per contest. Talented freshman Eli Ellis is averaging 13.3 points per game, after joining the program as one of head coach Lamont Paris’ prized recruits.
Virginia — First-year head coach Ryan Odom is working to get the Cavaliers back to the top of the ACC, and he’s off to a good start, posting a 4-0 record with wins over Rider, NC Central, Hampton and Marshall. None of those contests have been particularly close. The Cavs feature five players averaging double figures in scoring and two more just on the verge at 9.5. Freshman forward Thijs De Ridder out of Belgium leads the way, averaging 17.3 points and 6 rebounds per outing.
For more information or to purchase tickets to The Greenbrier Tip-Off, visit GreenbrierTipoff.com.
