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Virginia Tech picks up intriguing non-conference matchup with Big Ten sleeper

The Hokies will play a program that had a coaching change, but is coming a surprise NCAA Tournament run.
ByScott Roche|
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Mar 11, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Mike Young during OT against the California Golden Bears at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Mar 11, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Mike Young during OT against the California Golden Bears at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Coming off a season where they missed the NCAA Tournament, the Virginia Tech men's basketball team went through another offseason roster overhaul through the Transfer Portal. Veteran head coach Mike Young is looking for a bounce-back season in 2026-27.

Speaking of the NCAA Tournament, the field is expanding to 76 teams next season, which opens the door for more teams, including the Hokies. As far as their non-conference schedule goes, it is slowly being put together, and on Tuesday, Virginia Tech announced an interesting non-conference matchup with Iowa.

Virginia Tech men's basketball to play Iowa in a neutral site matchup

The Hokies will travel to Sioux City, Iowa, on Nov. 10 for a non-conference battle with the Hawkeyes. This is going to be a game that could bode well for Virginia Tech come selection Sunday. Ben McCollum's first season as head coach of Iowa was one that exceeded expectations.

Iowa advanced to the Elite Eight after pulling off one of the biggest upsets in the NCAA Tournament last season, taking down defending National Champion Florida on the first weekend of the tournament. At 24-13 overall, they finished 10-10 in the Big Ten, which produced the National Champion in Michigan.

It has been nine years since the Hokies and Hawkeyes have played, but Virginia Tech has won all four matchups in the series. Three of the four games have been played at Cassell Coliseum in 2006, 2012, and 2017. Virginia Tech won the only matchup outside of Blacksburg in 2009 at Carter-Hawkeye Arena, 70-64.

Earlier in the spring, the ACC announced the opponents for the upcoming conference season, and Virginia Tech is not playing Duke during the regular season. That is a bit of a downer as it takes away a huge likely Quad 1 opportunity for Young's team. A win, even at a neutral site, could be beneficial for Young and Virginia Tech next season. It'll be interesting to see how the rest of the non-conference slate shakes out. The Hokies will host Ole Miss in the ACC/SEC Challenge in December.

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