Wildcats Travel to West Virginia for Greenbrier Classic

Northwestern Wildcats Participate in Greenbrier Tip-Off

Northwestern men’s basketball continues its away stretch by heading to The Greenbrier Tip-Off, a multi-team event (MTE) held annually at the historic Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The tournament divides eight teams into two groups of four. Northwestern, Butler, South Carolina, and Virginia compete in this year's Mountain Division. Wisconsin, a Big Ten member, is the reigning Mountain Division champion.

Game and Division Details

The Wildcats play their first games in West Virginia since the 1973-74 season.
The opening matchup is against Virginia on Friday, November 21, at 4 p.m. CT.
Each team plays two games in the event, which will be televised on CBS Sports Network.

Recent Achievements

In their last game, senior forward Nick Martinelli sealed an 81-79 win at crosstown rival DePaul with two free throws in the final three seconds. Northwestern shot 58% from the field for a second consecutive game and forced 13 turnovers, maintaining a streak of at least 12 forced turnovers per game for three straight contests.

Martinelli, who scored 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting, was again named Fisher-McGrath Game MVP. He has achieved double figures in 30 consecutive games for Northwestern and has the longest active streak of 15+ point games by a high-major player in the nation, stretching across 22 contests.

Team Performance This Season

The Wildcats have a 4-0 record this season.
They are limiting opponents to 60.3 points per game, the top mark in the Big Ten and among the nation’s top 15 defenses.
Opponents are shooting just 36.3% against Northwestern, placing them third in the conference and 24th nationwide.
Northwestern averages 13.8 turnovers forced per game, while committing only 8.8 turnovers, ranking second-best in the conference and twelfth nationally.

Quote from the Program

"Our team is excited to return to West Virginia for the first time in over five decades and compete at a renowned event like The Greenbrier Tip-Off alongside high-profile programs." Northwestern University Athletics

The Wildcats’ 17 wins last season led all participating teams, marking their third consecutive winning campaign. This season’s squad is highlighted by Nick Martinelli’s stellar play and a defense that consistently ranks among the best in the country.

Division Background

The Greenbrier Tip-Off, in its second year, features eight teams across two divisions. Last year’s Mountain Division included Pitt, LSU, and UCF. Wisconsin claimed the championship in the inaugural edition. Fan travel packages for the event, including tickets and accommodations, are available via the event’s official site.

Author’s Summary

Northwestern men’s basketball embarks on a historic return to West Virginia for the Greenbrier Tip-Off, led by standout Nick Martinelli and a defensive unit ranking among the nation’s best.

Nusports.com — 2025-11-21