It's less than a week into the 2026-27 women's college basketball season, and Virginia Tech and head coach Megan Duffy have an early-season test and revenge game on their schedule on Sunday night at home against James Madison.
So far, so good for third-year head coach Megan Duffy and the Hokies, who have convincingly won their first two games. Meanwhile, the Dukes, who beat the Hokies at home last season by nine points, have split their first two games. Make no mistake about it: even though Duffy won't admit it, this is a game that she and any returning players from last year's team have circled for a while on this year's schedule. Here is all the information needed to watch the early-season showdown in Blacksburg.
How to Watch Virginia Tech vs. James Madison women's basketball
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 8
- Time: 6:00 p.m.
- Venue: Cassell Coliseum
- How to Watch: ACC Network Extra
- Streaming: FuboTV
- Virginia Tech Record: 2-0
- James Madison Record: 1-1
Virginia Tech women's basketball preview vs. James Madison
This season, Virginia Tech has a home-heavy month of November, and that continues with James Madison after wins already over North Carolina Central and Delaware. However, this game will have a different meaning for the Hokies.
Last November, right before Thanksgiving, Virginia Tech traveled to Harrisonburg and fell, 65-56, for their first loss of the 2025-26 season. It was a game that was a winnable one for the Hokies, but the Dukes grabbed a second-half lead and held off a late charge from Virginia Tech for a statement victory.
As far as this season goes, yes, it's still early, but James Madison dropped their season-opener, 59-52, at Miami of Ohio, before blowing out Central Connecticut State University at home, 77-38, on Thursday night.
Now, Virginia Tech blew out NC Central, 85-39, last Monday night in their season opener, with true freshman Jessica Dimaro recording a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Carleigh Wenzel picked up where she left off last season with 17 points, and Leila Wells had 12 points and seven rebounds. Amani Jenkins had 13 points and five rebounds for the Hokies, who forced 29 NC Central turnovers.
Against the Blue Hens of Delaware, Dimaro led four players in double figures with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Wenzel had 18 points and four assists. Now, playing the Dukes is a big step up in competition for the Hokies.
This game against James Madison will be interesting to see how well Dimaro can continue to play and how her start to the season goes. Also, Katie Sears has been very good off the bench in the first two games for the Hokies, and Tennessee transfer Alyssa Latham played well in her first game against Delaware after missing the NC Central opener.
A win for the Hokies would be a nice little statement early in the season before they hit the road for their first true road game of the season this upcoming Thursday night at VCU.
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