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Virginia Tech Basketball: 2017-18 Basketball Schedule Released

By Chris Wright

BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 16: Head coach Buzz Williams of the Virginia Tech Hokies is seen in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KeyBank Center on March 16, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 16: Head coach Buzz Williams of the Virginia Tech Hokies is seen in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KeyBank Center on March 16, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The 2017-18 Virginia Tech Basketball schedule is highlighted by a relatively easy non-conference schedule followed by a grueling ACC slate.

On Thursday, the ACC released full schedules for all of its teams. The match ups were already public, but with the schedule now in stone, it is easier to break it down. The Hokies drew one of the tougher conference schedules in the league and will have their work cut out for them come January.

The Hokies have a fairly soft non-conference schedule to start the season. After a couple of tune-up games, they will travel to Madison Square Garden to play in the 2K Classic tournament against St. Louis, Providence, and Washington. The remaining non-conference schedule features games vs Iowa and at Ole Miss.

Soon before conference play tips off, the Hokies will play something of a measuring stick game against the Kentucky Wildcats. This is by far the toughest test this team will face in the first two months of the season. This game is scheduled at the perfect time, as Virginia Tech will get a test against a true blue-blood powerhouse to prime themselves for a rigorous ACC schedule.

Though the Hokies should be just as good if not better than last season’s tournament team, there is still no such thing as an easy win in the ACC. They will see each team at least once, with the usual home and away with UVA, as well as rematches with Louisville, Duke, and Miami to end the season.

Overall, this schedule could not have played out better. There will be plenty of time in the non-conference schedule to prepare the incoming freshmen that are going to be playing right away. They should be in a nice groove by the time the conference schedule rolls around. This should still be a tournament team, as there will be plenty of chances for resume wins despite a weak non-conference schedule.