Arrinten Page continues to impress Northwestern coach Chris Collins since his transfer from Cincinnati.
Page capably has slotted in alongside returning Big Ten leading scorer Nick Martinelli, averaging 16 points after contributing a career-best 22 during an 81-79 home win against DePaul last Friday.
As the Wildcats brace for more challenges at the Greenbrier Tip-Off in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., this weekend — beginning with Friday’s game against Virginia in a meeting of 4-0 foes — Collins expects Page to produce in big ways.
“I’m just really proud of (Page),” Collins said. “We did a deep dive on him. He’s got a good spirit and heart. He wants to be about the right things. Our situation provided him with what he needed. … He’s a really talented player and he knows that we need him.”
Page hopes to be a more consistent influence on the boards against the Cavaliers and moving forward. While he leads the team with 8.3 rebounds a game, slightly ahead of Martinelli (6.5), Page grabbed just five at DePaul.
Virginia cruised to start its first season under head coach Ryan Odom, earning home victories against Rider, North Carolina Central, Hampton and Marshall. The Cavaliers’ winning margin has been no fewer than 19 points.
The Cavaliers have clicked behind 59.1% shooting and a versatile scoring attack that sees five players average in double figures, led by forward Thijs De Ridder (17.3 points a game) and guard Malik Thomas (12).
“Certainly, we emphasize sharing the basketball and moving it quickly, and whether it’s in transition or in the half court, we want to play to our strengths,” Odom said. “Certainly have multiple guys that can score.”
The Cavaliers, whose 104 points in Saturday’s rout of Rider were their most since 2008, anticipate a challenge from the Wildcats in that department.
“Their switching is tough to play against,” Odom said. “Their post doubles are tough to play against. They’re just very urgent on each possession, and they’re trying to win each possession clearly, and are committed, as a group, to playing the game the right way.”
The Cavaliers lead the all-time series 3-0. Friday marks the schools’ first meeting on a neutral site.
