In the era of new multi-team events popping up, there's another entering the fold. This one is the Greenrbrier Tip-Off, located in White Sulphur Springs in West Virginia. The venue is different from others, with the court looking more like a ballroom than a traditional basketball arena.
Last week, Texas-Rio Grande Valley won the River Division over Charleston. Now, the Mountain Division is set to do battle, with four teams looking for a pair of key victories. Here's a look at the programs involved, as well as a prediction on what will happen.
LSU Tigers - 4-0 (Kenpom 48)
The Tigers were picked to finish in the bottom third of the SEC this season. However, a 76-65 road win at Kansas State now makes them look competitive in a new light. They’re led by a trio of perimeter transfers in Cam Carter (17.8 ppg), Jordan Sears (13.8 ppg and 3.3 apg), and Dji Bailey, a 6’5 guard from Richmond who was an all-defender last season.
The frontcourt has improved compared to last season, with Jalen Reed (10.3 ppg and 6.8 rpg) leading the way inside. Freshmen Vyctorius Miller and Corey Chest have also added depth to the rotation. It’s a small sample size, but the Tigers have ranked second nationally in 3-point defense at just 20% of the 3PT allowed.
Pittsburgh Panthers - 5-0 (Kenpom 15)
After missing the NCAA Tournament by the slimmest of margins, the Panthers have come back to have a strong start. They have five double-digit scorers on the team, led by Ishmael Leggett (17.6 ppg) and sophomore Jaland Lowe, coming off a triple-double against VMI. Damian Dunn, a transfer from Houston, is putting up 15.2 ppg. They’re one of the most efficient teams in the country, ranking 28th in FG% at 51%.
Wisconsin Badgers - 5-0 (Kenpom 40)
The Badgers have the best win of any of the four teams, winning 103-88 at home against previous No. 9 Arizona. Missouri transfer John Tonje had 41 points in the win and leads the team with 22.6 ppg on 5.0 rpg. Guards John Blackwell (16.2 ppg) and Max Klesmit (14.4 ppg) are the other double-digit scorers on the roster. The FT line is where they shine, making 23.4 a game at a nationally-leading 89%.
UCF Knights - 4-0 (Kenpom 66)
UCF has a win over Texas A&M to open the season at home, without last season’s leading scorer, Jaylin Sellers. In his place so far has been UTSA transfer Jordan Ivy-Curry (17.8 ppg and 3.5 apg), while former George Mason forward Keyshawn Hall (17.5 ppg and 7.8 rpg) has given them a go-to option insider.
Semifinals - LSU vs Pittsburgh - Friday, 2:30 pm ET. CBSSN
This is a matchup of guard trios, all capable double-digit scorers. Both teams have been strong on defense, and there’s a chance it will be a wash. The difference here could be the frontcourt, with FSU transfer Cam Corhen (12.6 ppg and 6.4 rpg) having the edge compared to the LSU bigs. The K-State win was impressive for the Tigers, but Pitt’s offense will be harder to stop.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 75, LSU 66
Semifinals - Wisconsin vs UCF - Friday, 5:00 pm ET. CBSSN
Wisconsin may have the best offense in the Greenbrier Tip-Off, but evident by giving up 84 points to Texas-Rio Grande Valley, they may also have the worst defense. UCF has done well without Sellers, but against an efficient offense like the Badgers, they likely won’t have enough firepower to keep up.
Prediction: Wisconsin 84, UCF 77
3rd place game - UCF vs LSU
These teams have wins over the other’s respective conferences, which is a good opportunity for them to likely win a Quad 2 game. Hall of the Knights should have a good matchup in this contest versus the Tigers, and again, the absence of Sellers could be crucial against a team with good guards. This will be close, but the edge should go to the SEC squad.
Prediction: LSU 74, UCF 68
Championship: Pittsburgh vs Wisconsin
Tonje and Dunn are two of the bigger impact guard transfers in this game and will be facing off in the backcourt. Pittsburgh hasn’t faced a team like the Badgers yet, while the Big Ten school has already beaten a guard-oriented offense.
One area that could prove to be the tipping point for the game is Wisconsin’s ability to draw fouls and make free throws. Pittsburgh’s rotation is fairly limited for now, and if their top guards get benched due to foul trouble, it could be the deciding factor in a potentially high-scoring game.
Prediction: Wisconsin 78, Pittsburgh 71