Virginia Cavaliers vs. Northwestern Wildcats Picks and Prediction for Friday, November 21, 2025
Use Code WWWC It’s an early season clash on the hardwood and it brings a non-conference tilt between foes from the ACC and the Big Ten on the hardwood in the Bluegrass State as the Virginia Cavaliers take on the Northwestern Wildcats Friday afternoon in a matchup of the Skechers Greenbrier Tip-Off and we have you covered with our Virginia vs. Northwestern prediction. Virginia comes in off a 104-78 home win over Marshall last Friday in their previous contest, covering the line as a 21-point favorite. Northwestern picked up an 81-79 road win over DePaul in their previous contest last Friday night, failing to cover the line as a five-point favorite. In the all-time series between the teams, the Cavaliers own a 3-0 advantage, including a 94-52 home win in the most recent matchup on November 27, 2007. Read more about this Virginia vs. Northwestern prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
Virginia Looking to Maintain Perfect Mark
Virginia continued a hot start to the Ryan Odom era as they cruised to a one-sided win over Marshall at home last Friday in their previous contest. The Cavaliers ran their record to 4-0 on the year and cracked the 80-point mark in their first four games of the year since the 2007-08 squad did it in each of their first four games. Against Marshall, Virginia scored the game’s first five points and never let Marshall even the rest of the way. The Cavaliers rolled to a 61-33 advantage at the half and led by as many as 32 en route to the victory. Virginia shot 52.4% from the field, including 12 of 28 from beyond the arc, and held Marshall to 43.3% shooting in the game. Thijs De Ridder led the Cavaliers with 23 points and six rebounds in the win.
The Cavaliers come into this game putting up an average of 90.8 points a game this season, which is 47th in the nation. Virginia grabs 46 boards a night (17th) while dishing out an average of 19 assists per contest. The Cavaliers are stifling defensively: they enter this contest 20th in the nation in scoring defense by allowing a measly 61.5 points per game. Thijs De Ridder leads the team with 17.3 points plus six rebounds per game this season. Chance Mallory (10.3 points, four rebounds), Sam Lewis (10.8 points, 4.3 rebounds), and Ugonna Onyenso (9.5 points, 5.8 rebounds) are solid secondary scoring options. Malik Thomas (12 points, 2.8 assists), Jacari White (9.5 points, 3.3 rebounds), Johann Grunloh (10.3 points, 7.5 rebounds), Dallin Hall, Elijah Gertrude and Martin Carrere all log key minutes for Ryan Odom’s squad. The Cavaliers shoot 50% from the field as a team on the year. Virginia connects on 11.3 triples per game this season while sinking 38.8% of their attempts from beyond the arc, which is 43rd in the nation. The Cavaliers have been below average at the charity stripe, hitting 66% at the line so far this season, putting them 290th in the nation.
Key Injury Report for Virginia:
Get Free $30 Credit for Premium Picks + Exclusive Discounts
Subscribe Now
- F Devin Tillis (knee) is out indefinitely. Averaged 13.2 points and 7.6 rebounds for Cal Irvine last season.
Wildcats Seeking to Go 5-0
Northwestern had their hands full as they managed to slip past DePaul on the road in their previous contest last Friday. The Wildcats improved to 4-0 on the year and look to run their mark to 5-0 on the season here. Against DePaul, Northwestern led by two at the half, trailed by as many as five in the second half and was down three with 3:56 remaining in the contest. The Wildcats scored six straight to take the lead and was tied at 79 in the final seconds until Nick Martinelli grabbed an offensive board and was fouled with three seconds to play. He knocked down both free throws and forced a missed shot by DePaul at the buzzer to earn the win. Northwestern shot 58% from the floor, including seven of 16 from beyond the arc, and overcame losing the rebounding battle 34-25 in the contest. Martinelli led the way for the Wildcats with 24 points in the win.
The Wildcats enter this contest 112th in scoring offense by putting up 84.3 points per game on the year. Northwestern is collecting an average of 37.5 boards a night while ranking 36th by dishing out 19 assists a game. The Wildcats are good on the defensive end of the floor, ranking 14th in scoring defense as they allow 60.3 points per contest. Nick Martinelli leads the Wildcats offensively as he puts up 20.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Arrinten Page (16 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists), Jayden Reid (12 points, 5.8 assists) and Justin Mullins are good secondary scoring threats. Tre Singleton, Angelo Ciaravino, Max Green, K.J. Windham, Jake West, Tyler Kropp, Phoenix Gill and Jordan Clayton are capable rotation pieces for Northwestern this season. The Wildcats shoot 52.2% from the field on the season, putting them 23rd in the country. Northwestern knocks down 7.5 triples per game while shooting 40% from beyond the arc, leaving them 33rd in the nation. The Wildcats have been slightly below average at the free throw line, converting 69.1% of their chances at the line this season, leaving them 226th in that department.
Key Injury Report for Northwestern:
- No Key Injuries
Virginia vs. Northwestern Pick
Virginia vs. Northwestern Moneyline Pick
- Virginia (4 units)
Both teams are unbeaten heading into this game but this is a vastly different Virginia team than we’re used to seeing. The Cavaliers have been a high-octane offensive unit, putting up at least 81 points in each of their contests this season. Virginia is still stout defensively but their ability to generate offense like they have makes them extremely dangerous. Northwestern was fortunate to slip past DePaul in their previous game and the Blue Demons are ranked 112th in the KenPom rankings this season. Virginia stands 40th on the year. Northwestern is going to have to work to get good looks on the offensive end and they struggle at the stripe. That’s enough to give the Cavaliers the edge here.
Virginia vs. Northwestern Over/Under Pick
- Under (4 units)
Virginia is 74th in defensive efficiency, fifth in effective field goal percentage defense (39.7%), 12th in field goal percentage defense (34.9%), sixth in two-point defense (37.8%) and 20th in scoring defense on the year. The Cavaliers are 311th in tempo with 68.2 possessions a night this season. Virginia has stayed under the total in three of their four games on the year. Northwestern has split their four games in relation to the total this season. The Wildcats rank 43rd in defensive efficiency, 20th in effective field goal percentage defense (42%), 83rd in forced turnover percentage (20.4%) and 24th in field goal percentage defense (36.3%) on the year. Northwestern is 309th in adjusted tempo with 68.2 possessions a night. With two good defensive teams who play at a slow tempo, look for this game to wind up short of the mark.
Betting on College Basketball?
- Join Winners and Whiners premium for free and get a free $30 coupon with code FREE30
- Get started and wager on college hoops today with our favorite online sportsbooks
- Claim a CBB betting bonus offer with the best sportsbook promos
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
