Fresh off of the highest ranking since 1999, Virginia Tech women's basketball, sitting at No. 9 in the country, faces Nebraska at Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Don't miss out on the highly-anticipated matchup, presented by Grand Home Furnishings. Secure your seats for this must-see matchup.
Party Like It's '99
As mentioned earlier, the Hokies (6-0) have shined early this season under head coach Kenny Brooks, who is in his seventh year in Blacksburg. Tech, which welcomed two high-caliber transfers (Ashley Owusu, Taylor Soule) and returned an already talented group, has meshed well so far with the new and the old. Humming on all cylinders this month, the team is undefeated and is in the top 10 for the first time in over 20 years.
Here Comes Nebraska
Tech has already faced two high-major teams this season (Kentucky, Missouri) and held its own, earning two victories down in the Bahamas a week ago. Nebraska, which is a member of the Big Ten, will be Tech's third high-major foe this season and arguably one of the toughest, as the Cornhuskers (5-2) are coming off a high-major victory themselves (Mississippi State) this past Saturday in Puerto Rico.
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Success in the Challenge
The women's ACC/Big Ten Challenge, which started in 2007, will be coming to an end, as ESPN announced on Monday a new ACC/SEC Challenge starting in 2023. Brooks is undefeated in the challenge since his arrival to Tech, standing at 5-0 with wins over Wisconsin, Purdue, Rutgers, Illinois and Nebraska back in 2016. Brooks and Co. haven't had any issues whatsoever during the five games, winning by an average margin of victory of 19 points and four of the five matchups being double-digit victories.
Student Appreciation Night
A lot will be happening in Cassell on Thursday, including the classic frisbee dog show Mutts Gone Nuts. With aspirations of breaking the student attendance record in the Brooks era (2016-present) of 641 students, there will be a T-shirt giveaway, Smithfield bacon vouchers for the first 1,500 students and a chance to win two free tickets to the men's basketball game on Sunday versus No. 18 North Carolina. Fans are also encouraged to bring gently-used toys for donation to the Montgomery Country Christmas Store, with donations being on display during the donation parade.
An Exciting Brand of Basketball
It's been said by many – sportswriters, TV personnel, fans, etc. – that the Hokies are a force to be reckoned with and the stats would back that up. Ranking second nationally in scoring defense (44.8 points allowed per game) and No. 21 in scoring offense (81.8 points per game), Tech gets it done on both ends of the floor. Center Elizabeth Kitley, the ACC's preseason Player of the Year, is the only woman in America to average 19.7 points per game, 11.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks. She also has five double-doubles this season.