Sports
Virginia Cavaliers to Face Northwestern Wildcats in Greenbrier Classic
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — The Virginia Cavaliers are set to play the Northwestern Wildcats this Friday, Nov. 21, at 4 p.m. CT in the Greenbrier Classic. Both teams enter the matchup with a perfect 4-0 record, making this contest one of the toughest tests for the Cavaliers this season.
A key player for Virginia is freshman forward Thijs De Ridder, who has already made a significant impact. De Ridder, who previously played for Bilbao Basket in Spain, leads the team with an average of 17.3 points per game while shooting 54.2% from the field. His ability to score has been a crucial element in the Cavaliers’ offensive success.
“He’s a veteran and a tough matchup for other teams,” said head coach Ryan Odom about De Ridder. “His physical presence is evident on both ends of the court, and he brings a calming steadiness to our play.”
Northwestern’s Nick Martinelli is another standout player to watch. In the Wildcats’ last game, he scored a season-high 24 points to help secure an 81-79 victory over DePaul. Martinelli has scored in double figures for 30 consecutive games and is averaging 20.5 points and 6.5 rebounds this season, making him a significant scoring threat.
“Martinelli is a dynamite player, which makes Northwestern tough to guard,” Odom noted. “They are well-balanced, and they don’t hesitate to lean on him during games.”
Virginia guard Chance Mallory has also contributed significantly off the bench. With an average of 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and a team-leading 2.8 steals, he’s been essential for the team’s defensive strategy and overall performance.
“He’s been tremendous, giving us a boost whenever he’s on the court,” Odom said about Mallory. “His defensive skills are impressive, and he anticipates plays well.”
This game will mark the first meeting between Virginia and Northwestern since 2007. The Cavaliers won that matchup 94-52. As the teams look to extend their winning streaks, all eyes will be on the Greenbrier Tip-Off this weekend.
