BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech women's basketball team is set to take the court on Wednesday November 25 against the Richmond Spiders, for their first contest since a defeat at the ACC Tournament on March 5, which feels like a distant memory to the squad.
The Hokies, whose roster features new names and faces aplenty are eagerly awaiting tip-off, outside competition and the first steps of a quest to reach the biggest stage, the NCAA Tournament.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Wednesday, November 25 – 4 PM
Cassell Coliseum; Blacksburg, Va.
vs. Richmond Spiders (0-0)
Head Coach: Aaron Rousell (Second season)
Record at school: 15-17; Career: 327-139 (17th season)
Series: Series tied 6-6 Last: Nov. 25, 2019 (W, 85-57)
Live Stats: CLICK HERE
Broadcast: ACC Network Extra
Play-by-Play: Bailey Angle
Analyst: Mack McCarthy
Radio: Virginia Tech Sports Properties
Play-by-Play: Bryant Johnson
Virginia Tech Game Notes: CLICK HERE
WHAT WE'RE WATCHING FOR:
•What is it like to play a basketball game in 2020?
In addition to Wednesday's opener being the first time since March that the Hokies have been able to play against outside competition, the arena will feature a maximum of 250 patrons, participants included, following the guidelines set forth by the commonwealth's governor.
We've heard it said surrounding college football all fall, you've got to bring your own juice.
•Will we see the Hokies reach the century mark in consecutive season openers?
Last season, spectators were treated to fireworks, to the tune of 105 points, tying a Cassell Coliseum record and a look at a dynamic performer, Elizabeth Kitley. In that game, her first, she scored 27 points on 13-of-15 shooting in just 21 minutes of work. Of course, she went on to average 12.5 and 7.5 rebounds and won ACC Freshman of the Year and was tabbed as an All-Conference player in the preseason in addition to being named a candidate for the Lisa Leslie Award handed to the best center in the nation.
With eight Hokies on the roster yet to feature for Tech, who could explode in the season opener? Coach Brooks has indicated that freshman Georgia Amoore will be the point guard and is a more than capable shooter. On the inside redshirt senior Asiah Jones will be the power forward and Brooks expects big things from the transfer.
•Who else will score the basketball?
Tech boasts the second-best scoring tandem to return to the conference in 2020-21, in All-ACC performers Aisha Sheppard and Elizabeth Kitley at 27.3 points per game. Sheppard is a 1,000-point scorer and second in program history in 3-point shooting and Kitley, already a proven talent is just scratching the surface of her potential.
The Hokies, who scored 71.0 points per game a season ago, sixth-best in the conference, will need others to step into scoring roles. Looking down the roster, you see that Alex Obouh Fegue (3.6), Cayla King (2.9), Taylor Geiman (2.1), Makayla Ennis (1.1) and Chloe Brooks (0.6) accounted for just over 10 points per contest in 2019-20 and will be counted on more heavily this time around.
•A 56TH consecutive win at Cassell for the program
The Hokeis haven't lost a home non-conference game since December 4, 2014, a streak of 55 consecutive games. In Coach Brooks' tenure, he is 39-0 and his Hokies own an average margin of victory of 24.98 and have 13 wins of 30 or more points.
