After rare losing seasons, two teams with proud basketball traditions, Virginia and Butler, are rebounding — literally and figuratively.
When the Cavaliers and Bulldogs play for the Mountain Division title of the Greenbrier Tip-Off, Sunday in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., it will match teams that rank fifth and sixth nationally in rebounding differential.
Both rode significant edges on the boards in their opening-game victories over major-conference foes on Friday.
In an 83-78 come-from-behind win over previously unbeaten Northwestern, Virginia (5-0) used a 49-25 edge on the glass.
Meanwhile, in its 79-72 wire-to-wire victory over previously undefeated South Carolina, Butler (4-1) milked a 48-29 rebounding advantage.
Gonzaga transfer Michael Ajayi (15 points, 14 rebounds) led the Bulldogs in the paint, where they outscored the Gamecocks 42-32. They also held a 23-10 advantage in second-chance points.
Butler got help off the bench from 6-foot-11 bigs Drayton Jones and Yohan Traore, who combined for 13 points and nine rebounds.
“Drayton and Yohan did a really nice job. I mean, Michael was a man down there as well,” Bulldogs coach Thad Matta said. “That’s something we have to have from those guys. We need production rebounding and finishing at the rim.”
Contributing in the backcourt were Finley Bizjack, who scored 18 points, and Jamie Kaiser Jr., who made all five of his shots from the floor, delivering 14 points and seven rebounds.
Trailing in a game for the first time this season, Virginia responded to the challenge, coming back from seven points down in the final 14 minutes.
Chance Mallory came off the bench to spark the Cavaliers. The freshman triggered the rally with a triple and finished with 16 points and a season-high eight rebounds, a significant feat considering his 5-10 stature.
“Coaches tell me, if I can get a rebound we can go as fast as possible,” Mallory said.
Mallory, who is homegrown from Charlottesville, has been a nice fit for first-year coach Ryan Odom.
“He made huge plays for us all night,” Odom said. “He’s really fast. He’s really good with the ball. He’s a warrior.”
Virginia has been led inside by a pair of European freshmen. Thijis De Ridder, who is from Belgium, scored a season-high 26 points and collected eight rebounds against Northwestern.
Johann Grunloh, a 7-footer from Germany, averages 9.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game.
