Virginia Cavaliers Edge Northwestern Wildcats in Close Contest
Friday, November 21, 2025, 5:00 PM ET · Colonial Hall
Virginia Cavaliers 83, Northwestern Wildcats 78, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
The next free pick, for your email
Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.
or by email
Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick
One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.
Quick answers
Who won Northwestern Wildcats vs Virginia Cavaliers?
Virginia Cavaliers beat Northwestern Wildcats 83-78 at Colonial Hall on November 21, 2025.
The Virginia Cavaliers secured a narrow victory over the Northwestern Wildcats, finishing the game with a score of 83 to 78. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as both teams entered the contest with strong recent performances, with Virginia boasting a perfect home record of 5-0 and Northwestern not far behind with a solid away record of 4-1. The game took place at Colonial Hall, adding to the home-court advantage for the Cavaliers.
In their last ten games, the Cavaliers recorded a 6-4 record, currently riding a four-game winning streak. Their scoring average during this stretch has been impressive, with the team averaging 76.0 points scored per game while allowing 68.0 points. In their last five games, they have averaged 84.6 points scored, showcasing their offensive capabilities. Their most recent victories included a dominant win against the Marshall Thundering Herd, where they triumphed 104-78, and a convincing 91-53 win over the Hampton Pirates. Virginia's performance at home has been particularly strong, with a home record of 5-1 in their last six games.
On the other hand, the Northwestern Wildcats have also been in good form, holding a 7-3 record over their last ten games and currently on a four-game winning streak. They have averaged 74.5 points scored per game while allowing 64.2 points during this stretch. Their recent games included a close win against the DePaul Blue Demons, where they edged out a victory with a score of 81-79, and a commanding win over the Cleveland State Vikings, finishing 110-63. Northwestern's away record stands at 3-2, indicating their ability to compete on the road.
The matchup was characterized by a series of scoring plays that kept the game competitive until the final moments. Key moments included free throws made by Malik Thomas and Jayden Reid, which helped the Cavaliers maintain their lead in the closing minutes. The final scoring plays saw Thomas make crucial free throws that brought the score to 83-78, securing the win for Virginia.
In terms of injury concerns, the block does not specify any players missing from either team, suggesting that both sides were at full strength for this crucial encounter. The conditions for the game were typical for a late November evening, with the venue providing an electric atmosphere that likely contributed to the intensity of the match.
The betting market reflected the competitive nature of this fixture, with odds indicating a strong probability of a Virginia win, as attributed to the provider. This matchup not only showcased the talents of both teams but also highlighted the significance of home advantage in college basketball, particularly in a high-stakes environment like Colonial Hall.
As the game unfolded, viewers could watch for the strategic plays from both coaches, focusing on how they adapted their game plans in response to the ebb and flow of the match. The performance of key players, particularly in clutch situations, was also a focal point, as both teams demonstrated resilience and skill in their pursuit of victory.
Leaders
- PointsThijs De Ridder26Virginia Cavaliers
- AssistsMalik Thomas3Virginia Cavaliers
- ReboundsThijs De Ridder8Virginia Cavaliers
- PointsJayden Reid25Northwestern Wildcats
- AssistsJayden Reid5Northwestern Wildcats
- ReboundsArrinten Page6Northwestern Wildcats
Recent form
Virginia Cavaliers
Last 10: 6-4Streak W476 scored · 68 allowed per game5-1 at home
- W104-78vs Marshall Thundering HerdNov 15
- W91-53vs Hampton PiratesNov 12
- W81-62vs North Carolina Central EaglesNov 8
- W87-53vs Rider BroncsNov 4
- L60-66at Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsMar 12
- L70-84at Syracuse OrangeMar 9
- W60-57vs Florida State SeminolesMar 5
- L58-71vs Clemson TigersMar 1
- W83-75at Wake Forest Demon DeaconsFeb 27
- L66-81at North Carolina Tar HeelsFeb 22
Northwestern Wildcats
Last 10: 7-3Streak W474.5 scored · 64.2 allowed per game3-2 away
- W81-79at DePaul Blue DemonsNov 15
- W110-63vs Cleveland State VikingsNov 11
- W76-52vs Boston University TerriersNov 7
- W70-47vs Mercyhurst LakersNov 4
- L63-70at Wisconsin BadgersMar 13
- W72-64at Minnesota Golden GophersMar 12
- L61-74at Maryland TerrapinsMar 8
- L69-73vs UCLA BruinsMar 4
- W68-57vs Iowa HawkeyesMar 1
- W75-63at Minnesota Golden GophersFeb 26
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 37-3 | - | 19-1 |
| Nebraska | 28-7 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Michigan State | 27-8 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Illinois | 28-9 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Wisconsin | 24-11 | 5 | 14-6 |
| Purdue | 30-9 | 6 | 13-7 |
| UCLA | 24-12 | 6 | 13-7 |
| Ohio State | 21-13 | 7 | 12-8 |
| Iowa | 24-13 | 9 | 10-10 |
| Indiana | 18-14 | 10 | 9-11 |
| Minnesota | 15-18 | 11 | 8-12 |
| USC | 18-14 | 12 | 7-13 |
| Washington | 16-17 | 12 | 7-13 |
| Rutgers | 14-20 | 13 | 6-14 |
| Northwestern | 15-19 | 14 | 5-15 |
| Oregon | 12-20 | 14 | 5-15 |
| Maryland | 12-21 | 15 | 4-16 |
| Penn State | 12-20 | 16 | 3-17 |
| Duke | 35-3 | - | 17-1 |
| Virginia | 30-6 | 2 | 15-3 |
| Miami | 26-9 | 4 | 13-5 |
| North Carolina | 24-9 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Clemson | 24-11 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Louisville | 24-11 | 6 | 11-7 |
| NC State | 20-14 | 7 | 10-8 |
| Florida State | 18-15 | 7 | 10-8 |
| California | 22-12 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Stanford | 20-13 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Virginia Tech | 19-13 | 9 | 8-10 |
| SMU | 20-14 | 9 | 8-10 |
| Wake Forest | 18-17 | 10 | 7-11 |
| Syracuse | 15-17 | 11 | 6-12 |
| Pittsburgh | 13-20 | 12 | 5-13 |
| Notre Dame | 13-18 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Boston College | 11-20 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Georgia Tech | 11-20 | 15 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Northwestern Wildcats | Virginia Cavaliers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 27-58 | 24-64 |
| Field goal % | 47 | 38 |
| Three-pointers | 7-16 | 5-24 |
| Three-point % | 44 | 21 |
| Free throws | 17-24 | 30-36 |
| Free throw % | 71 | 83 |
| Rebounds | 25 | 49 |
| Offensive rebounds | 6 | 21 |
| Defensive rebounds | 19 | 28 |
| Assists | 14 | 8 |
| Steals | 7 | 4 |
| Blocks | 1 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 7 | 11 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 16 | 9 |
| Fast-break points | 14 | 17 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 30 |
| Fouls | 29 | 22 |
| Largest lead | 7 | 8 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half57-52Chance Mallory made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half57-53Chance Mallory made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half59-53Nick Martinelli made Jumper. Assisted by Jake West.
- 2nd Half59-55Thijs De Ridder made Layup. Assisted by Malik Thomas.
- 2nd Half61-55Jake West made Jumper. Assisted by Nick Martinelli.
- 2nd Half61-56Thijs De Ridder made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half61-58Sam Lewis made Jumper.
- 2nd Half61-59Thijs De Ridder made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half61-60Thijs De Ridder made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half61-63Dallin Hall made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Malik Thomas.
- 2nd Half63-63Justin Mullins made Jumper.
- 2nd Half65-63Jayden Reid made Layup.
- 2nd Half66-63Jayden Reid made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half66-64Chance Mallory made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half67-64Arrinten Page made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half68-64Arrinten Page made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half68-66Johann Grunloh made Dunk. Assisted by Chance Mallory.
- 2nd Half69-66Justin Mullins made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half69-67Chance Mallory made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half69-68Chance Mallory made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half70-68Jayden Reid made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half70-69Chance Mallory made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half70-70Chance Mallory made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half70-71Malik Thomas made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half70-74Dallin Hall made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Malik Thomas.
- 2nd Half71-74Jayden Reid made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half72-74Jayden Reid made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half73-74Jayden Reid made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half73-75Dallin Hall made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half73-76Dallin Hall made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half73-77Dallin Hall made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half73-78Dallin Hall made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half73-79Dallin Hall made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half76-79K.J. Windham made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Nick Martinelli.
- 2nd Half76-80Malik Thomas made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half76-81Malik Thomas made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half77-81Jayden Reid made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half78-81Jayden Reid made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half78-82Malik Thomas made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half78-83Malik Thomas made Free Throw.
Win probability
Above the line favours Virginia Cavaliers, below favours Northwestern Wildcats.
Venue
- Colonial HallWhite Sulphur Springs, WV
- Attendance1209
- OfficialsEarl Walton, A.J. Desai, K.B. Burdett
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond