Anticipation is building for the start of the 2024 Women's Basketball NCAA Tournament, with the Hokies set to host the first and second rounds at Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum. Join us in taking a deep dive into the teams coming to Blacksburg for the first and second rounds.
Virginia Tech received the No. 4 seed following the ACC tournament, garnering a 24-7 season record. The Hokies sport many notable players, including Georgia Amoore, who has started all 31 games this season, averaging career highs with 19.2 points and 6.9 assists per game. Amoore earned All-ACC First Team honors for the second consecutive season and was named a finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award, which recognizes the nation's top point guard. Fellow guard Cayla King joins Amoore in the backcourt, contributing with her prolific shooting as she ranks third all-time in the program in 3-pointers made with 290 and owns the program record for 3-point field goals in a game with nine.
Vanderbilt and Columbia will tip off this week's games on Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET in the First Four, vying for the No. 12 seed and a chance to play against No. 5-seeded Baylor. The Commodores (22-9) went 13-1 in their non-conference slate, which included a notable neutral-site win over No. 7 Iowa State. Meanwhile, Columbia maintains an impressive average of 76 points per game, contributing to its 23-6 record.
The winners of game one and game two will proceed to the second round and play on Sunday, March 24.
Set Matchups
Game One: No. 4 Virginia Tech vs. No. 13 Marshall | Friday, March 22 at 3:30 p.m. – ESPN2
The Hokies have historically dominated the Thundering Herd, showcasing an impressive 8-1 overall series record. Wednesday's matchup marks the teams' first encounter since Virginia Tech secured an 84-78 victory in 1992. Tech has consistently prevailed against Marshall in Cassell Coliseum, maintaining a flawless 5-0 home record.
Marshall returns to March Madness for only the second time in their program's history, ending a 27-year drought. The Herd enters the tournament with a Sun Belt Conference title and an impressive 26-6 overall record. Leading the charge is head coach Kim Caldwell, whose impactful leadership in her first season has earned numerous top-10 rankings in the NCAA. Caldwell plays a pivotal role in developing players, like Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year Abby Beeman, who ranks seventh in the nation with 205 assists and averages 16.8 points per game. Alongside Beeman is guard Breanna Campbell, an All-Sun Belt Third Team honoree, averaging 15 points, four rebounds and four assists per game.
Tech's home-court advantage wouldn't be possible without the support of Hokie Nation. Carry over your fandom from the postseason with new 2024-25 season tickets and catch all the action in Cassell.
Game Two: No. 5 Baylor vs. No. 12 Vanderbilt/Columbia | Friday, March 22 at 6 p.m. – ESPNU
The No. 5-seeded Baylor Bears are awaiting the determination of their opponent, set to face off against the winner of Wednesday's First Four matchup between Vanderbilt (22-9) and Columbia (23-6). This marks Baylor's 20th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and their 22nd overall. With a tournament record of 55-18, including 15 trips to the Sweet 16, the Bears own a storied history in the big dance. Baylor's streak of 20 consecutive appearances stands as the fourth-longest active streak in the country, trailing only Tennessee (42), Stanford (36), and UConn (35). Among the seven Big 12 teams selected, Baylor stands out with a 24-7 overall season record, highlighted by notable victories over No. 1-seeded Texas, No. 5-seeded Utah and No. 8-seeded West Virginia. The team is led by forward Dre'Una Edwards, who serves as the top scorer with 371 total points. Sarah Andrews and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs closely follow, contributing significantly to Baylor's offensive prowess.