After sweeping their two games in California last week against Stanford and Cal, the Virginia Tech women's basketball team returns home for another big matchup on Thursday night, this time against North Carolina.
The wins out West were huge in terms of the Hokies' NCAA Tournament chances. In fact, they moved to the 10-line in Charlie Creme's latest bracketology at ESPN in the Nashville Region. They were matched up with Washington from the Big Ten, with Vanderbilt as the host. I know, there is still a lot to play for between the regular season and the ACC Tournament next month, but for now, they are oneof the last four teams to avoid playing in the ''First Four.''
Virginia Tech women's basketball facing huge opportunity against North Carolina
Megan Duffy and her team have three ACC games remaining before the conference tournament next month. After hosting the 22nd-ranked Tar Heels, Virginia Tech will host Georgia Tech on Sunday and then have a week off before traveling to Charlottesville on March 1 for a second game against Virginia this year.
ESPN's matchup predictor gives UNC a 69.4% chance of winning this game, and they are talented again under Courtney Banghart. As far as Virginia Tech is concerned, they have been a team that has spread the scoring around this year. One player who has really become an x-factor is Samyha Suffen. She has brought some toughness at both ends of the floor and has used her speed to get to the basket and finish.
After missing the NCAA Tournament last year as the first team left out, you would think the Hokies can all but clinch their spot in the field with a win over the Tar Heels at home. It's going to take a team effort and contributions from many different players, but the Hokies can take a huge weight off their shoulders with a win.