With or without Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech opens ACC Tournament against Miami

Friday the Virginia Tech women's basketball team practiced at the Greensboro Coliseum ahead of their ACC quarterfinal round game Friday afternoon. Star center and three-time ACC Player of the Year Elizabeth Kitley did not practice and her status remains up in the air.

After practice, she joined her teammates in the stands to watch the second-round game between Miami and North Carolina with the top-seeded Hokies playing the winner Friday at 1:30 p.m. In an upset, the Hurricanes took down the Tar Heels, 60-59, to advance and get a shot at Virginia Tech.

The Hokies rolled over the Hurricanes in their only regular season matchup back in January in Blacksburg with Kitley recording a double-double with 31 points and 11 rebounds. If she doesn't play, things could be a lot different for a Miami team that has had a lot of March success in recent years under head coach Katie Meier.

If Kitley can't play, expect University of Minnesota transfer Rose Micheaux to start with Georiga Amoore, Matlida Ekh, Cayla King, and Olivia Summiel. If that happens, it would be understandable as she comes to Blacksburg with experience and it keeps freshman Clara Strack from getting into early foul trouble. The key for Virginia Tech will be to not have players do things they can't do or rely on the 3-ball. Instead, head coach Kenny Brooks and his staff should have an offense in place without Kitley to run. King could even bring the ball up the court to get Amoore off it to run certain sets.

The bench will be key for the Hokies with Carys Baker likely seeing more time and they will need her to knock down some shots. Freshman Carleigh Wenzel will be another key player off the bench expected to play some big minutes. Without Kitley, this game is a toss-up, but even with her not at 100%, it still might be a toss-up. Regardless, this will be a good test for Virginia Tech ahead of the NCAA Tournament.